When Molly was Six
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WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX
BY
ELIZA ORNE WHITE
AUTHOR OF “miss BROOKS,” “ WINTERBOROUGH,” ETC
BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
Copyright, 1894,
By ELIZA ORNE WHITE.
All rights reserved.
The Riverside PresSy Cambrtdgey Mdss.y U. S. A.
Electrotyped and Printed by H. 0. Houghton and Company.
TO
JULIA AND ELIZABETH
moixy’s best friends
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CONTENTS,
^anttarp. paob
Molly’s Birthday 1
Jelirttarp.
A Sunday Valentine 10
JilartI)*
Afternoon Tea 20
aprtU
Nonesuch ..34
JHap*
A Movable Feast 44
Sftine*
Priscilla 55
fnlp.
How Molly spent Her Ten Cents 66
Little Miss Robinson Crusoe 78
VI
CONTENTS.
S^eptember*
A Family Flight 90
0ctoJicr.
Priscilla the Second 102
il^obemier.
A Thanksgiving Dinner 114
^cccmicr.
The Rileys’ Christmas Tree 123
“ A Sunday Valentine ” is reprinted from “ Every Other Sunday,” and
“Afternoon Tea” from “St. Nicholas,” by permission of the publishers.
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
9[anuarp.
MOLLY’S BIRTHDAY.
Molly’s birthday came on the first of January
with that of the year. It was so near to Christmas
that she always felt a little uncertain as to whether
she should 'have any presents.
Now that you are getting to be such a big
girl/’ her father said the night before her birthday,
I think that Christmas presents are enough.”
Don’t tease the poor child, Henry, said her
mother.
^^I shall expect to see a very different looking
person to-morrow,” her brother Turner observed.
The human body changes entirely once in seven
years, and as this is your seventh birthday, the
change will undoubtedly begin in the morning.”
But I am only going to be six,” Molly objected.
That is true ; but aU the same it is your seventh
birthday.”
2
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Molly was never sure when Turner was joking
and when he was in earnest, so she looked at him
somewhat doubtfully as she put up her face to be
kissed. She then bade her grown-up sister Ruth
and her ten year old sister Flora good-night, and
went upstairs with her mamma.
Molly woke early the next morning, so early that
the daylight was only just beginning to come in at
the windows. Her aunt Mary, whose room she
shared, was still fast asleep, for she had been to a
New Yearns party the night before. Molly crept
stealthily out of bed and ran to the long looking-
glass that stood near one of the windows. It was
light enough for her to see that she was not in the
least changed. She was still a very small girl, and
her curly hair was as tangled as it always was in the
morning. She had never really expected to be differ-
ent, but she had had a faint hope that she might be
a little taller, and that her hair would have straight-
ened in the night. She went back to bed and
stayed there quietly for some minutes, hoping that
her aunt would wake of her own accord, for Molly
had learned by sad experience that she did not like
to be disturbed in the morning. It was growing
lighter every moment, and Molly was so anxious to
go downstairs to see her presents that at last she
MOLLTS BIRTHDAY.
3
could stay still no longer. She sprang out of bed
and began to dress in haste. She got on pretty
well until she tried to fasten the waist of her gown,
which seemed to have altogether too many buttons.
She wondered why it was that grown people, who
had long arms, had gowns that buttoned in front,
while the gowns of little children, who had such
short arms, always buttoned behind.
At this moment her aunt opened her eyes. Molly
Benson, what are you doing ? ” she cried.
^^I’m dressing myself,” said MoUy proudly, ‘^for
I am in a hurry to see my presents.”
Dressing yourseK ! I should think so ! ” and
Miss Benson began to undo the little girl’s unevenly
buttoned gown.
When Molly was at last made tidy, she went down-
stairs to the dining-room, where the family had as-
sembled for breakfast. At her plate there were five
mysterious-looking paper parcels. One was irreg-
ular in shape and had a knob on top.
It is a doll ! I know it is a doll ! ” she ex-
claimed in excitement. On the outside of the bun-
dle was written : For Molly, from her loving
mother.” She undid the string with trembhng
fingers. It is a boy. I am so glad,” she said,
because I have so many daughters.”
4
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX,
I told mother that the girls needed a brother to
keep them in order/’ said Turner.
The new-comer was dressed in a dark blue sailor
suit, trimmed with white braid. A sailor cap of
dark blue was on the top of his flaxen curls, and
his blue eyes were full of beauty and intelligencec
He is lovely,” said MoUy enthusiastically, and
I know he is going to be the best of all my children,
except Jane. I shall call him George Washington,
because he is so good.”
Boys are always good,” said Turner.
The next package she opened was small and hard.
On it was written : For Molly, from her papa.”
It contained a napkin-ring of plain silver with
a beaded edge. On the outside was engraved,
Molly ; ” and inside were her initials and her
papa’s, and the date.
Molly could not like the napkin-ring so well as
the doll, but she kissed her father and thanked him
for his present.
^'Twenty years from now,” said Turner, you
will prefer the napkin-ring to George Washington.
I can foretell that he will be a total wreck by that
time in spite of his name.”
The next present which Molly undid was a family
of paper dolls from Flora. Ruth had painted them,
MOLLTS BIRTHDAY.
5
but Flora had planned their clothes and named them.
Molly was much pleased with these new friends.
There were two more presents : one was a Httle paint
box from Ruth ; the other a Testament, bound in
red morocco, from Molly’s aunt Mary.
Turner did not give me anything,” the little
girl thought, feehng somewhat aggrieved. At that
moment she chanced to look under the table, and
there she saw — oh, joyful sight ! — a sled ! a large
sled, large enough for her and Turner and Flora all
to coast on together. It was low, wide, and long,
and it was painted black.
Oh, how lovely ! ” said Molly. Is that your
present. Turner?”
He nodded.
You are the nicest boy I ever saw.”
^^Even nicer than George Washington?”
Even nicer.”
And handsomer, of course ? ”
Molly glanced from her brother’s freckled face to
the blue-eyed, flaxen-haired doll, and felt a httle
doubtful ; so she said nothing, but dived under the
table and dragged out her sled.
If you will only tell me that I am handsome as
well as good, I will take you and Flora coasting on
Brown’s hill this afternoon,” said Turner.
6
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Truly ! How perfectly splendid ! ” and Molly
clapped her hands.
But if you don’t tell me that I am handsome,
my feelings will be so deeply hurt that I shall be
obliged to leave you at home,” he added.
Of course you are handsome,” said Molly, only
not the same kind of handsome that George Wash-
ington is.”
Molly had been too busy, so far, to give any
thought to the weather, but now she ran to the win-
dow and saw a beautiful sight. The sun was just
rising and sending rays of light over the trees and
shrubs in the garden. When she had gone to bed
the night before, there had been only commonplace
snow on the ground, but it had rained all night, and
the rain had frozen as it fell. Each twig was out-
lined in ice, and the garden looked like a fairy wood
full of trees and shrubs made of glass. Even the
summer-house had turned to glass in the night.
‘‘ The year has changed on its birthday,” said
Molly, even if I am the same on mine.”
It was so cold all day that the snow did not melt,
and when Molly started with Turner and Flora,
after dinner, the sun was shining so brightly that
the trees and shrubs took on an added splendor, and
it seemed as if they were not made of common glass,
MOLLTS BIRTHDAY.
7
but hung with sparkhng diamonds. Molly felt as
if she were a young princess wandering in an en-
chanted wood.
How lovely it is 1 ” she said with a deep drawn
sigh of delight.
It ’s awfully slippery/’ said Flora.
When they reached the pasture that led to Brown’s
hill. Turner let down the bars and his little sisters
ran through joyously.
The hill was a long one ; it was quite steep in
the beginning, and then sloped away more gradu-
ally until it reached the level meadow below. Here
there was a Httle pond which was covered with
ice.
Turner put Flora in front, on the big black sled,
and Molly in the middle, and then he got on behind
so that he could steer.
Away they went, so fast that Molly was fright-
ened, and clung to Flora with both ^ hands. It
seemed as if they were flying down the hill, and
Molly felt as if they were running a race with the
wind. At last they reached the little pond and
skimmed over that too, and then they began to go
slower and slower until at length the sled stopped,
as if it were worn out and needed rest.
Oh, dear ! ” said MoUy, as they began to walk
8
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
up the long hill, I wish that hills were all down
without any up.”
And yet if they were all upside down you would
n’t like it,” said Turner. Get on, and I will drag
you up the rest of the way.”
I wish I were only six years old,” said Flora, as
Molly took her place on the sled.
You are a lazy thing,” said Turner.
The next time they went down the hill Molly was
less afraid, and after they had gone down three or
four times she thought there was nothing in the
world so delightful as coasting on a big sled with
a big brother. Did birds feel so free and joyful
when they spread their wings and flew away ? W ere
fairies any happier? On the whole, she thought
that she would rather take her chances as Molly
Benson, for birds and fairies could not have a sled
for a birthday present, or a silver napkin-ring, or a
George Washington.
They coasted all the afternoon, until the sun went
down, and the diamonds faded into common glass.
But the world still seemed like an enchanted place
to the little girl, for something of the glory of the
day was in her heart.
Mamma,” she said, as her mother was putting
her to bed that night, how many more days shall I
be six ? ”
MOLLTS BIRTHDAY.
9
There are three hundred and sixty-four days left,
Molly.’’
Will they all be as happy as this, do you sup-
pose, mamma ? ”
Not all, darling ; hut there will he something
beautiful in each day for my httle girl if she has the
eyes to see it.”
Yes, there will always be George Washington,”
said Molly.
A SUNDAY VALENTINE.
Molly was sitting in the square old-fashioned
pew at church. As she was a very little person, her
view was somewhat limited. It was chiefly confined
to the row of heads that appeared above the back of
the seat in front of her. To-day there was only
one head there. It was a shiny bald head belong-
ing to a very old gentleman. Molly wondered as
she looked at him whether he was thankful enough
that he did not have long curly hair to be pulled by
his aunt Mary when she combed it. But perhaps
he did not have an aunt Mary. Her aunt Mary
was sitting in the pew by her side, tall, straight, and
handsome. If she had not been there, Molly would
have ventured to chmb upon the seat, and enlarge
her view by looking over the back of the pew ; for
directly behind her there often sat a very beautiful
young lady who looked just like a fairy princess.
Molly was sure of this ; because she had often seen
A SUJVDAY VALENTINE.
11
pictures of fairy princesses, and they always had
curly yellow hair and blue eyes, like Miss Sylvia.
It was y alentine’s Day ; and Molly wondered
whether there would he an especial service, as there
had been at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
That morning she had heard her sister Flora say.
It ’s y alentine’s Day ! I think it ’s a mean shame
to have it come on Sunday.”
^^What is yalentine’s Day?” Molly had asked
her father.
It is a day when people tell their friends how
much they love them,” he had said, stooping to kiss
her upturned face.
Molly was thinking about this now, while she sat
very still on the faded damask pew-cushion, with
her legs dangling down in a most uncomfortable
fashion. She thought : How nice it would be to
write a valentine all my own self to Miss Sylvia, and
tell her how much I love her ; and I can give it to
her when church is over.”
Molly had a pencil in her pocket, and she knew
that her mamma kept some paper under the pew-
cushion, so that her little daughter could amuse her-
self during the sermon. Molly looked up furtively
at her aunt Mary, and saw that her face was fixed
with apparent absorption upon the minister ; so she
12
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
ventured to put one of her hands under the pew-
cushion to try and find the paper. First she found
a palm-leaf fan, all torn on the edge, and looking so
shabby that she felt quite ashamed of it and hastily
put it back ; and then she moved softly along to the
other end of the pew toward her father, that she
might see if the paper was under the cushion where
she had been sitting. She found it ; but she could
not help making it rustle as she pulled it out. Her
aunt Mary shook her head at her with decision.
Her father looked at her aunt appealingly. Let
her write ; it is a harmless amusement,” he seemed
to say.
Molly glanced doubtfully from one to the other,
and then cautiously slid down and seated herself on
the cricket. She looked up with shy apprehension
at her aunt, but gained confidence when she saw
that she was merely looking at her father with an
expression with which the little girl was familiar. It
was half resigned, half protesting. It said as plainly
as words : —
If that were my child, I would make her behave
herself.”
It was a whole year since Molly had had any val-
entines, and she could only dimly remember what
they were like. Should she write on her paper, I
A SUNDAY VALENTINE.
13
love you, Miss Sylvia. — Molly Benson ” ? No,
that was not enough ; and besides it was Sunday,
and it would be better to make it a Sunday valen-
tine. She could find something about loving one
another, in the Bible, and she could copy it. She
took down her little Testament, which happened
to open toward the end of the volume, and turned
the leaves diligently. Her aunt Mary looked at
her, and was beginning to shake her head again ;
but Molly held her book up triumphantly. Even
her aunt Mary could not object to her reading in
church if the book that she read was the Bible.
Molly looked through the pages slowly, for she
found it hard to read the long words. At first
she could not find anything at all appropriate, and
she began to be afraid that they did not have any
Valentine’s Day when the New Testament was first
written. She felt discouraged, and was just going
to shut her book, when she came to a whole chapter
that seemed to be all about loving one another.
Molly thought it must be the Valentine Chapter.”
She was glad now that her aunt Mary had per-
severed and taught her to read, in spite of the fact
that her father and mother had thought her too
young to learn.
Molly did not know how to write ; but she could
14
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
print very neatly, although it took her a long time
to do it. She printed : Beloved, let us love one
another.” Then she found something so much to
the point that it seemed as if it must have been
written on purpose : I beseech thee, lady, not as
though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but
that which we had from the beginning, that we love
one another.”
Molly thought that the words commandment ”
and beginning ” were too long to write, so she left
out that part of the sentence, and printed the rest of
it as carefully as she could : I beseech thee, lady,
that we love one another.” Then some more words
on the page caught her eye : I would not write
with paper and ink.”
Molly wondered why the person who had written
this letter would not write with ink. Could it be
for the same reason that she was not allowed to
write with ink ? No, that was not possible ; because,
if his letter was in the Bible, he must have been a
grown-up person, and there would have been no
danger of his upsetting the inkstand. She could
think of no way of explaining this little sentence ;
but it gave her a very friendly feeling for the man
who had been writing his letter without ink such a
long, long time ago.
A S[/NDAr VALENTINE.
15
Molly was so absorbed in her occupation that she
forgot to get up with the others when they stood up
to sing. She rose hastily in the middle of the sec-
ond verse. She did not know what they were sing-
ing ; but she liked the music, and so she joined in
and sang the tune softly, as well as she could, to
words of her own.
I am very happy,” Molly sang ; I love every-
body. I love papa, and mamma, and Kuth, and Tur-
ner, and Flora, and Aunt Mary, and dear Miss Syl-
via ; and I love the gentleman who could nt write
with ink and paper. I love everybody, everybody,
everybody ! I love God too. He has made me very
happy. I hope he won’t mind because I did n’t find
the place in the hymn-book, and so have to sing
my own words, which are n’t as pretty as the music.
This is my valentine-hymn, and this my special ser-
vice.”
When church was over, and the people began to
leave their pews with the rustle and buzz that al-
ways follows, Molly clasped her paper tightly in her
hand, and shyly opened the door of Miss Sylvia’s
pew. Molly wished that all doors were as small as
pew-doors, they would be so much easier to open.
A pew-door seemed made on purpose for little chil-
dren.
16
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Alas! there was no pretty golden - haired fairy
princess there ; the pew was empty. MoUy felt bit-
terly disappointed ; but then she remembered that
she could copy her valentine on pink paper, and
carry it that afternoon her own self to Miss Sylvia.
Her papa said that she might ; and Flora gave her
some pink paper.
Molly felt some misgivings as she walked up the
driveway that led to the house where Miss Sylvia
lived with her uncle.
Suppose she should n’t like the valentine,”
she thought. Suppose she should say, as Aunt
Mary did, ‘ You silly child ’ ” —
Just then a big black dog came out from behind
a tree, and jumped up on Molly, putting two of his
big paws on her shoulders. Poor Molly was now
thoroughly frightened. She ran up to the door
very fast, and pulled the bell ; and then she turned
to look at the dog, who raised his eyes to hers re-
proachfully.
Poor thing, you did n’t mean to hurt me, did
you ? ” she said doubtfully. That was your way
of hugging. I suppose you wanted to tell me that
you loved me. It is your kind of valentine. Oh,
please, don’t do it again 1 Please don’t ; for you
are so big, and I ’m so very little.”
A SITJ^TDAF VALENTINE,
17
At that moment the maid came to the door.
Down, Ponto ! Down! she said. Don’t
touch the little lady. Whom do you want to see,
miss ? ”
^^Miss Sylvia. Please tell her it’s Molly Ben-
son.”
The maid looked doubtful.
I don’t think Miss Sylvia can see any one to-
day.”
Molly’s heart sank. She felt like crying. Pres-
ently, however. Miss Sylvia, who had heard the
voices below, came to the head of the stairs.
My dear little Molly,” she said, I am so very
glad to see you.”
Molly watched her come down the stairway, and
she thought her more lovely than ever. She made
up her mind that if she ever grew up into a young
lady, she would have a blue gown with ribbon and
lace down the front of it, just hke Miss Sylvia’s.
What do you want, dear ? ” asked Miss Sylvia.
Her face looked sad ; and if she had not been a
grown-up person, Molly would have thought that
she had been crying.
The little girl did not answer. A sudden fit of
shyness had seized her. She held out her valentine
18
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
For me ? ” asked Miss Sylvia.
Molly nodded.
Oh, how pretty ! ” Miss Sylvia said, as she took
it. Pink is my favorite color.”
She seated herself on the lowest step of the stair-
case, and motioned to Molly to come and sit beside
her.
What is it ? ” she asked.
It is a Sunday valentine, all out of the Bible,”
said Molly, who had found her tongue.
Miss Sylvia opened it and read it.
Beloved, let us love one another. I beseech
thee, lady, that we love one another. I love you.
— Molly Benson.”
Miss Sylvia turned and put her arms around the
little girl.
You dear child, how lovely of you to write this
for me all yourself ! ” she said.
It would have been much nicer,” said Molly,
only Flora would n’t let me have the ink, and so I
had to print it in pencil.”
It could n’t have been nicer,” said Miss Sylvia ;
I like it best just as it is. How did you ever think
of anything so sweet ? ”
Aunt Mary said you would n’t care for it at all,”
observed MoUy. She ” —
A SUNDAY VALENTINE.
19
Mary knows nothing about it,” said Miss Syl-
via, with decision.
She kissed Molly again and again. I can’t tell
you how much good you have done me,” she said.
Something has happened which has made me very
unhappy to-day, and I was feeling as if nobody cared
very much about me ; and just then you came in
at the door, like a little good fairy.”
She liked it ever so much, papa,” said Molly,
that evening. She said she had never had such a
lovely valentine. Do you suppose it was because it
was a Sunday valentine, or because it was on pink
paper ? ”
AFTEKNOON TEA.
Miss Sylvia Russell was to be At Home ” on
a certain afternoon, and she asked Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Turner Benson and family, among other
people to come and see her. Poor little Molly was
heartbroken, when the day arrived, because she was
not allowed to go with the others.
^ Family ’ means Flora and me, mamma, just as
much as it means Turner and Ruth, and Aunt
Mary,” she suggested.
My dear,” said her aunt Mary, little girls
do not go to teas given by grown-up young ladies.”
Molly thought this very hard, for she knew that
Miss Sylvia was fond of her, and she cried a little
when she saw Ruth and Turner start for the tea
with the older members of the family. Her aunt
Mary told her not to be such a baby, but her mamma
comforted her by promising to bring her home a
AFTERNOON TEA,
21
macaroon and a cocoanut cake, and perhaps a piece
of candy.
Molly sent a message by her mamma to Miss
Sylvia, who, she was quite sure, was expecting to
see her. Molly was afraid Miss Sylvia would be
very much disappointed when she did not come;
indeed she felt almost sorrier for Miss Sylvia than
for herself.
Bridget was putting Molly to bed when the fam-
ily came home, but Molly slipped out of the door
and ran along the passage with her little bare feet.
Did you give my message to Miss Sylvia, mam-
ma ? ” she asked, as she buried her curly head in her
mamma’s black silk gown.
Yes, darling; and she said she was very sorry,
but that she could not have seen anything of her
little Molly if she had come, because there were so
many, many people ; and she sent you these roses
and this candy, and she says some day soon she
will have a very small afternoon tea on purpose for
you.”
Molly took the pretty pink roses, and her mamma
kept the candy for another day. The little girl felt
very happy as she crept back to bed.
A few days later, when the postman came to the
door bringing big envelopes with big letters in them
22
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
for big people, he also brought a little envelope with
a little card in it for a little person. The direction
was printed, so that Molly could read it herself.
It ran : —
Miss Molly Benson and two of her family,
Knightsbridge, Mass.
There was a rough little picture of a doll in the
right-hand corner next the word family,” so that
Molly should make no mistake.
Molly opened the envelope neatly with a pair of
scissors, as she had seen her aunt Mary do, and on
the card inside she read : —
Miss Sylvia Russell,
At Home,
Friday, March nineteenth.
From three to five cl clock.
To meet Miss Julia Esterhazy.
Molly clapped her hands and danced with delight,
for Julia Esterhazy was her dearest friend, who
lived in the big white house just across the way.
Molly ranged her dolls in a row, and tried to
decide which were the most deserving. Some had
AFTERNOON TEA.
23
been so naughty that there was no question of tak-
ing them, and others were too small to go out to
tea with a grown-up lady ; but there were four about
whom she was uncertain, and she finally took them
into the Hbrary, that Turner and Flora, who were
studying their lessons, might help her decide.
In the first place, there was Jenny, named for
Molly’s mamma, and usually called Jane to avoid
confusion. She was the oldest of all the dolls, and
did not look so fresh as in her early youth, but she
was the most unselfish of the family.
Jane’s complexion seems to have gone off,”
Turner remarked. Too many late hours, I sup-
pose.”
I think I ought to take her to Miss Sylvia’s,”
Molly said, she is so good ; and then I ought to
do more for her than for the rest, because she is
so ugly.”
Next came Sylvia Russell Benson, who, Molly
felt, must surely have the honor of drinking tea
with Miss Sylvia, because she was her namesake.
She was a fair-haired, blue-eyed doll, with a sweet
disposition, and a blue cashmere gown.
Then came George Washington Benson, who was
dressed in his neat sailor suit ; Molly wished him to
go because he was her only son.
24
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Don’t take George Washington/’ Turner ad-
vised ; for if he is the only fellow there he ’ll be
awfully bored.”
Lastly there was the Princess, a very grand per-
sonage, in a red-velvet gown. She was so distin*
guished that Molly felt in awe of her and afraid to
leave her behind ; at which Turner said that she did
not show proper spirit. Molly, therefore, left it un-
certain whether the Princess or Jane should have
the pleasure.
The day before the tea, Molly caught cold ; it was
not a bad cold, but as her aunt Mary was putting
her to bed she said carelessly, If it is n’t pleasant
to-morrow, you won’t be able to go to Miss Sylvia’s.”
Molly felt that she should surely die if she could
not go to the tea.
The next morning she crept out of bed at an
early hour, and ran to the window. She pulled back
the blue-and-white chintz curtains softly, that she
might not wake her aunt Mary, and peered out into
the gray dawn. The night before everything was
brown, for there had been a thaw which had melted
all the pretty white snow from the fields and the
hills, but now, in the places where everything had
been dark, there was a soft white powder. The
ground was all white, and the hills were white too,
AFTERNOON TEA.
25
and even the trees were bending under the weight
of a white burden ; while from the sky, as far up as
Molly could see, floated down myriads of feathery,
starlike little snowflakes. It was all so beautiful
that she clasped her hands together, and looked at it
in silence. She was brought back to the actual
world at last by her aunt Mary.
Molly Benson ! ” she exclaimed, come back
into bed this minute, unless you want to have pneu-
monia.”
You won’t be able to go out of the house to-
day,” her aunt observed as she was dressing Molly,
a Httle later.
Molly said nothing ; she had learned by experi-
ence that it was best not to dispute her aunt’s de-
cisions.
I think mamma will let me go. I think mamma
will let me go,” she kept murmuring to herself.
At breakfast everybody was delighted with the
snowstorm, for different reasons.
We shall have some good coasting,” said Tur-
ner.
And tobogganing,” added Ruth.
I can take my dinner to school and stay over
the noon recess,” said Flora.
They all had forgotten about Molly’s afternoon
26
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
tea. She sat quite silent for a time, but at last she
plucked up her courage.
Papa/’ she asked, don’t you think we may
have a thaw by afternoon ? ”
Not the least chance of it,” her father rephed
with a laugh.
There was another silence.
“ Papa,” said Molly at last, don’t you think it
will stop snowing pretty soon ? ”
Oh, no ; we are in for a solid snowstorm this
time.”
Papa,” said Molly wistfully, don’t you think
I can go to Miss Sylvia’s, even if it does snow ? ”
Indeed, she can’t, Henry,” interposed Molly’s
aunt Mary ; she has too much of a cold. It would
be a ridiculous idea, and besides, Sylvia won’t ex-
pect the children to come in such a storm.”
Molly’s spirits sank lower and lower. Two tears
trembled on the lids of her blue eyes doubtfully for
a minute ; then she bravely forced them back. Her
mamma looked up just in time to catch the plead-
ing, eager expression of her face.
Do you want to go very much, my little girl ? ”
she asked.
Very, very much,” said Molly.
But if you were to take cold and be ill, and
AFTERNOON TEA-
27
make yourself and all of us very unhappy, you would
wish you had stayed at home.’’
Molly was not sure about this, so she kept silent.
She thought she would be willing to be sick if only
she could be sure of the afternoon tea first.
When breakfast was over she went up to the play-
room, and, taking in her arms Jane, who was always
her comfort in sorrow, she wept bitterly.
We are not to go to the tea, Jenny,” she said,
none of us ; none of us. So you need n’t feel
badly, dear, because you might have had to stay at
home. The Princess can’t go, and Sylvia can’t go,
and I am not to go myself.”
She was still sobbing when Turner came in to get
his French grammar. Hullo ! ” he said. What ’s
the matter ? ”
Molly continued to sob.
It always made Turner feel sorry to see people
cry, even if they were very small people like
MoUy.
guess I wouldn’t cry,” he said slowly.
'^Wouldn’t you like a popcorn ball if I can get
one down street ? ” he added.
She shook her head.
Perhaps Miss Sylvia will ask you another day,”
he suggested.
28 WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
She ’s going away for a visit pretty soon/’ Molly
said in a subdued voice.
Well, if I were the clerk of the weather, I’d
tell the snow to hold up this afternoon,” said
Turner. I ’d say, ^ Winds to the north, colder
weather, a thundering big snowstorm all through
New England, and especially on the hills and tobog-
gan-slide in Knightsbridge ; but in the village it-
self, between Main and Chatham streets, pleasant
weather, fair, southerly winds, and a flood of sun-
shine.’ ”
Molly began to laugh, and Turner felt as if the
sunshine were coming. I wish you were the
weather man,” she said.
Everybody went out that morning except Molly
and her mamma. Molly’s papa went to his law
office ; her aunt Mary went to teach the Literature
class at the high school, as she did every Friday,
while Euth and Turner took their dinners to the
high school, and Flora carried hers to the grammar
school.
Molly’s mamma told her to get her work and
come and sew with her while she mended the stock-
ings. The little girl felt as if she could never be
happy any more, but she did not wish to trouble her
dear mamma, and so she said nothing about the
AFTERNOON TEA.
29
afternoon tea. By and by they heard the telephone-
bell ring, and Mrs. Benson went to see what was
wanted. Presently Molly heard her say, ^^It ’s such
a storm and she has a little cold, so her father is
afraid to let her go.”
Molly listened eagerly ; she wished she could hear
the voice at the other end of the telephone, which
she was sure was Miss Sylvia’s. What could she be
saying ?
^^You are very kind,” said Mrs. Benson, ^^but
that will be a great deal of trouble, and do you want
to send the horse out on such a day ? ”
Molly could hardly wait for the next words,
y ery well, then,” said her mamma ; she will
be ready at three o’clock.”
Molly ran and flung her arms around her mother
and pressed her cheek against her hand ; she was
too happy to speak. Then she caught up Jenny
and hugged her too. Jane, you shall go to the
party instead of the Princess,” she said, because
you are the best of all my children. Mamma, what
did Miss Sylvia say ? ”
She said she would send the covered sleigh for
you and Julia this afternoon, and that she is sure
you won’t take cold if you are well wrapped up.”
Julia was already in the sleigh when it came, and
30
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
she laughed because Molly had on so many wraps,
and called her Mother Bunch.” Julia was six
months older than Molly, and an inch taller. Her
hair was much darker, and her eyes were a very
dark brown.
^^Why did you bring that hideous old Jane?”
Julia asked, as she caressed her two pretty Paris
dolls, Lily and Maud.
I love her the best of all my children,” Molly
said sturdily.
I should get her a new head if she belonged to
me.”
^^But she wouldn’t be the same person then,”
Molly objected.
When they reached Miss Sylvia’s house, John,
the man, helped them out of the sleigh, and then
he handed out the four dolls very respectfully, as
if they had been live ladies.
Miss Sylvia was waiting in the hall to receive
them ; she had on her pretty blue gown with rib-
bon and lace down the front of it. She kissed both
the children, and then she shook hands gravely with
the four dolls, but she evidently preferred Jane,
who, she said, looked as if she had force of charac-
ter and reserve strength. Presently she led the way
into the dining-room. At one end, in the bow win-
AFTERNOON TEA.
81
dow, there was a small table about as high as a kind-
ergarten table, covered with a white cloth. On it
were two very small silver candlesticks, with a white
candle in one and a blue one in the other. Some
forget-me-nots and lilies of the valley were in a blue
bowl on the middle of the table. There were seven
places laid, with three small plates for Miss Sylvia
and the little girls, and four very tiny plates for the
four dolls. There were, besides, three small white-
and-gilt cups and saucers for Miss Sylvia and the lit-
tle girls, and four tiny white cups and saucers for the
four dolls. At Miss Sylvia’s end of the table were
a small silver cream-pitcher and a white china tea-
pot with a wreath of roses painted on it. The tea-
pot contained tea made of molasses and water which
was very delicious. In front of Molly was a Httle
china dish full of animal crackers, and in front of
Julia a silver dish filled with cocoanut cakes and
macaroons. Each doll had an oyster cracker on her
plate, and Miss Sylvia hoped they would not find
these too large to eat ; she said they were their
pilot biscuit. Molly and Julia each had a little card
with verses at her plate, and a barley-sugar animal.
Julia’s was a cat, and her verse said ; —
Here ’s a sweet cat for a sweet child.
She ne’er will scratch nor bite.
82
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
E’en if you bite her, she ’s so mild
She ’ll think you wholly right.
Molly’s animal was a rabbit, and her rhymes
said : —
I hope you will welcome this rabbit, my dear,
I hope you will welcome this rabbit.
He puts back his ear, for he wishes to hear,
But indeed ’t is a curious habit, my dear.
Indeed ’t is a curious habit.
He rushes and skips through the snowstorm, my dear.
He rushes and skips, though ’t is snowing.
And I can’t keep him back.
But he makes a quick track.
And he says, “ To my Molly I’m going, my dear,”
He says, “To my Molly I’m going.”
Molly wondered why grown people did not have
molasses and water instead of tea, it was so much
nicer. Miss Sylvia seemed to think so too, for she
said a little went a great way, and she took only
very small sips, so as to make it last a long time.
They had a merry time playing games and telling
stories after they finished their tea, and five o’clock
came only too soon. Miss Sylvia then put on their
things, and she bade her two young friends good-by
for a whole month, for she was going away on her
visit the next week.
“ What a lovely time we had ! ” said Molly to
AFTERNOON TEA.
33
Julia, as they were driving home. I never had
such a good time. I don’t suppose we shall ever
have such a good time again.”
Of course we shall,” said Julia, ^^ots of better
times.”
Julia had already begun upon her candy, and said
that it was very nice, and she advised Molly to eat
hers ; but MoUy saved her rabbit and put him away
tenderly in her drawer in the bureau, to remind her
thenceforth of the blissful day when she had taken
afternoon tea with Miss Sylvia.
%ptil
NONESUCH.
Poor little Molly was heartbroken because Tar-
tar, her pussy-cat, was dead. As her name sug-
gests, she was not an amiable pussy, but this made
no difference in Molly’s feelings, even although
there were unhealed scratches on her little hands.
Strange to say, it was her aunt Mary who gave
her the most comfort, — her aunt Mary, who never
was sympathetic over small griefs, but who had a
heart for pussy-cats, and could therefore understand
the great sorrow of a pussy-cat’s death.
Only yesterday she was so well, and she gave
me such long, strong scratches,” sobbed Molly,
and now she is dead : run over by that dreadful
cart.”
It is a great pity, and I am almost as sorry
about it as you are,” said her aunt. “ But, after all,
it isn’t as if she were a young pussy. You see she
is a grandmother, and might not have lived very
NONESUCH.
35
long, and her sight was a little dim, or it would not
have happened.”
^^She always seemed young to me,” said Molly
with another sob.
I was very fond of her too,” said her aunt, who
was more demonstrative with pussies than she was
with people, but it does n’t do any good to cry,
Molly ; it will only make you ill.”
‘‘ One of the hardest things,” said Molly, “ is that
nobody understands how I feel. Turner says she
was a cross old thing,” — here she gave another
sob, — and papa says he will get me another ; and
even mamma, — even mamma says she hopes we can
have one now who won’t claw the furniture. Oh,
dear ! I don’t want any other ! They all talk as if
a new pussy-cat could be better than the old one.
Oh, what pretty fur she had ! ”
She was very pretty,” assented her aunt.
Yes, she was ; ” and Molly buried her face once
more in her small handkerchief.
Molly, you must control yourself. Think how
much better it is than if it were one of the family.
You could hardly show any more feeling if I or
your mother were to die.”
Oh, I should feel lots worser if it were you. Aunt
Mary ; and if it were mamma I should die myseK.
36
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX,
I am glad I have something left/’ she said, as she
grasped her aunt’s hand. She always admired her
handsome young aunt, even when she was severe ;
but she loved her dearly when she was kind.
It is so nice that you understand just how I
feel,” Molly went on. Aunt Mary, somehow it
seems as if this — this great sorrow made us love
each other more.”
It was almost a week before Molly was ready to
consider the idea of having another cat, and six
days is a long time when one is only six years
old. At the end of the sixth day her aunt proposed
that she should write to Miss Sylvia Kussell, who
was staying with a family who were fond of cats,
and ask if she could not get her a kitten.
Molly printed the note all her own self ” to
Miss Sylvia. She asked her aunt at first how to
speU some of the words. How do you speU that
kind of deaVy Aunt Mary ? ” she began.
D-e-a-r, of course.”
And how do you spell Sylvia, please ? ”
Her aunt, who was writing a letter herself, glanced
up impatiently, but spelled the word for her. They
went on in this way for some time ; then Miss Ben-
son said, Molly, are you writing that note, or
ami?”
NONESUCH,
37
Then please don’t ask me howto spell anymore
words until I have finished my letter.”
This was why the first part of the note to Miss
Sylvia was spelled better than the last part. Molly
said : —
Dear Miss Sylvia, — Aunt Mary says you know
a lady who has cats. My dear cat is dead. I cried
a grate deel. Plese I like a torter-shel best. Plese
send one with out sharpe dors if you can.
Your loveing, Molly.
Three days later there came a letter for Molly
from Miss Sylvia, who wrote as follows : —
Dear Molly, — I am very, very sorry for you.
I remember the time when my pussy-cat died. It
was long, long ago, when your aunt Mary and I
were little girls. I have had greater sorrows since,
such as grown-up people have, but they have never
crowded out the memory of those days.
Fortunately for you the friends with whom I
am staying are going to Europe in a few weeks,
and they want to find a good home for their cat,
so I send her to you by express. Her name is
88
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Nonesuch, and she is well named, for I know none
such as she is. I suppose she has claws, like
other cats, but I have never seen them. In fact she
is so gentle and good that if you were not very fond
of cats and very good to them I should not send her
to you.
No new friend can ever quite take the place of
an old one, but Nonesuch can make a place of her
own. I am glad that you and I are such old, old
friends, Molly. Your loving,
Sylvia Russell.
Miss Sylvia does not say whether she is a tor-
ter-shell or not,” Molly said, as her mother finished
reading the letter.
She is probably a lank, cadaverous thing, with
a lame leg and rough fur,” said Turner ; one of
those brownish cats that look as if they had been
black once, and were sent to the dye-house to be
done over, and came hack rusty-looking.”
Oh, Turner ! ” said Molly reproachfully, why
do you think she will be like that ? ”
Because if she had been a good and beautiful
tortoise-shell, of course the Grays would have taken
her to Europe with them.”
^^Well, anyway, she will be a cat,” said Molly
NONESUCH,
39
contentedly ; and if she is lame, and cross, and
ugly, she will need to be loved all the more/’
It seemed to Molly that she could not wait for the
hour that was to bring Nonesuch. All day, when^
ever the bell rang, she hung over the balusters tc
see if the expressman had come. She wished that
the cat had been sent by mail, for she knew just
when to look for the postman, and she was sure he
would have had room for her in his brown leather
bag. The day passed, however, and no pussy ap-
peared. Molly began to be afraid that she was lost.
When the expressman came at night, she ran ea-
gerly into the kitchen. She saw that he was bring-
ing in a barrel.
Oh, please, have you got her there ? ” she asked.
Did it take all that room just for one small pussy-
cat?”
I ’ll be blasted if I know what the young one
is talking about,” the man said with a good-hu-
mored laugh. “ There ’s potatoes in that barrel,
little lady.”
Potatoes ! ” Molly’s face fell.
She looked at the man doubtfully for a moment
before she made up her mind to pursue the subject,
for she was shy with strangers ; but the occasion was
so serious that she could not give way to fear. She
40
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
clasped her hands behind her and looked beseech-
ingly into his face.
Please, sir/’ she said, will you look out very
carefully in the express house for a pussy-cat ? You
see if she got left over, by mistake, the way our
box from grandmamma did at Christmas, she might
starve.”
I guess we ’d hear her quick enough before she
starved,” said the man. Cats mostly don’t keep
their feelings to themselves.”
The next night, when Molly was sitting in the
parlor after tea, playing jackstraws with Ruth and
Flora, Bridget came to the door.
There is an express package in the kitchen for
you. Miss Molly,” she said with a solemn face.
^^An express package!” Molly slipped down
from her chair and darted into the kitchen. There,
in the middle of the room, stood the expressman,
smiling broadly, and at his feet was a wooden box
with slats across the top.
She’s come, in her own Saratogy,” he said.
wonder the ladies don’t take to traveling in
their own trunks, too, now that they make ’em so
large.”
Molly was already bending over the box. She
saw two bright yellow eyes, and a sweet little face
NONESUCH.
41
partly yellow and partly white, with a large black
spot just over the nose.
She is a torter-shell ! She is a torter-shell ! ’’ she
exclaimed in delight.
The rest of the family had assembled in the
kitchen by this time, and Turner began to take the
slats off the box, while Ruth went to get some milk
for the little traveler. As soon as the bars were re-
moved from her prison. Nonesuch stepped daintily
out and walked directly up to Molly’s aunt Mary
and rubbed against her feet. She seemed delighted
to have found friends. Molly caught her up and
held her close in her arms. “ You dear thing. You
dear, dear, dear little thing ! ” she said.
The king is dead, long Hve the king,” murmured
Turner.
“ Stop, Turner,” said his mother, you shall not
spoil the child’s pleasure.”
But Molly knew and cared nothing about kings.
All she thought of was a dear, fluffy creature curled
up in her arms, with bright eyes and four sound legs
and a beautiful tail.
What a sweet purr she has,” she said. Come,
Aunt Mary, and listen to her sweet purr.”
She must be very hungry,” said Ruth, who came
in just then with the milk.
42
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
And thirsty/’ added her father.
Molly put her down on the floor reluctantly, and
she found her way at once to the saucer and drank
up all the milk.
don’t see why Miss Sylvia’s friends didn’t
take her to Europe with them,” said Molly. She
is so beautiful and so good.”
It must have been because they were afraid she
would not he satisfied with the European mice,”
Turner answered.
When Turner put her down cellar for the night,
she gave a series of shrill and heart-breaking mews.
What a sweet mew she has,” said Turner.
Come, Molly, and listen to her sweet mew.”
You are a bad hoy,” said Molly gravely.
She and her aunt Mary followed Turner down-
stairs to inspect the quarters of the new-comer.
‘‘ Poor little pussy, she does n’t like the great,
dark cellar,” said Molly. She will he very lonely
if we leave her here all by herself this first night.
Aunt Mary, dear Aunt Mary, don’t you think she
might sleep with us just this one night ? ”
My dear child ! What an idea ! ”
At that moment Nonesuch came and rubbed
against Molly’s aunt in the most human way, as if
to plead her cause.
NONESUCH.
43
She is telling you that she will be very good,
Aunt Mary.’^
Miss Benson stooped to pick up the cat.
Molly waited in suspense.
Pussy put her paws around the neck o£ Molly’s
aunt, and began to purr softly.
Good pussy,” said Miss Benson ; good little
Nonesuch. She will stay down cellar, won’t she,
hke a good little cat ? ” As she spoke, she put her
down on the floor.
Miauw, miauw,” said Nonesuch in a sad and
surprised voice.
Aunt Mary ! Aunt Mary ! she is so unhappy.”
Miauw, miauw,” said Nonesuch again.
Molly,” said her aunt, I think we shall have
to keep her with us this first night.”
When Molly was put to bed, dear little None-
such nestled down by her, and when Miss Benson
came upstairs, later in the evening, they were both
fast asleep ; and pussy’s little face was pressed close
to Molly’s face, and her soft paws were around
Molly’s neck.
A MOVABLE FEAST.
I THINK we ought to have some kind of a party
for Miss Sylvia, now she has come home,” said Molly
to Julia one spring morning. She had such a
lovely afternoon tea for us.”
The two little girls were playing in the garden
behind Molly’s house. They were making mud
cakes and frosting them with the snow that still
lingered in what had been the great drift on the
north side of the house. It was very valuable now,
because there was so little of it left.
She would n’t care for our kind of party,” said
Julia, as she made a large P on the frosting of the
cake that was especially designed for the princess.
Yes, she would,” said Molly. I wish we knew
when her birthday is. It ought to come when the
flowers have their birthdays, for papa says she is like
a flower.”
People are never like flowers,” said Julia, and
A MOVABLE FEAST.
45
just as likely as not her birthday is in December or
January.”
Miss Sylvia happened to come to see Molly’s aunt
Mary that very morning, and the two children ran
into the house to ask her about her birthday.
I did not have any birthday ‘ this year,” she
said.
No birthday ! ” they exclaimed, feeling very
sorry for her.
I only have a birthday once in four years,” said
Miss Sylvia ; can you guess when it is ? ”
On the 29th of February,” said Flora, who had
just come home from school.
Yes, and there was n’t any 29th of February
this year, and so I am left high and dry without
any birthday.”
Poor Miss Sylvia,” said Molly.
Can’t you choose some other day for your birth-
day ? ” suggested the practical Julia.
It would be a good plan. I could make a mov-
able feast of my birthday and have it in June, one
year, and in August, at the seashore, another year,
or in September, in the mountains.”
Oh, have it in May this year,” cried the chil
dren.
^^Have it next Saturday,” said Molly eagerly,
46
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
and take us to the woods, and let us have a birth«
day feast for you.”
My dear, Miss Sylvia does not want to be both-
ered with you children,” said Molly’s aunt Mary.
Indeed I do. My birthday shall be next Satur=
day, which is May day, and Flora and Julia and
Molly and I will have a birthday feast; and we
won’t invite you, Mary. We don’t want any tire-
some, grown-up people.”
Can’t Elizabeth come too ? ” asked Flora.
She is only eleven and a half, and although she is
almost a year older than I am, she is very young for
her age.”
Elizabeth Dennison was Flora’s m6st intimate
friend.
“ Yes, Elizabeth can come too, if she will try to
be very good, and very, very young.”
Early Saturday morning Molly heard some heart-
rending mews outside of her window, before she
opened her eyes. This was nothing new, for almost
every morning, as soon as Nonesuch was let out of
the cellar-door, she climbed the trellis that led to
the balcony, and then ran up the roof to Molly’s
window.
Oh, I hope it is a pleasant day ! ” she said, as
she went to open the window and let in the pussy-
A MOVABLE FEAST.
4T
cat. Alas ! when she pulled back the blue-and-white
chintz curtains, she saw that the wind was blowing
in great gusts and the raindrops were chasing each
other down the window-pane.
Oh, Nonesuch, how wet your feet are ! ” said
Molly, as she tried to dry the pussy with a towel.
And is n’t it too bad, dear Nonesuch, that it is
raining? But probably it will clear before eleven
o’clock,” she added hopefully.
Even if it does you can’t go to the woods to-
day,” said her aunt Mary, because it would be so
wet that you would all take dreadful colds.”
When she heard this, Molly could not help shed-
ding a few tears.
Don’t cry, Molly,” said her aunt. You have
the whole summer before you ; one rainy day does n’t
matter.”
“ But the whole summer won’t be Miss Sylvia’s
birthday,” said poor Molly, and mamma had made
us such cunning little cakes to take to the woods.”
I am very sorry for you, but it can’t be helped.”
That morning, soon after breakfast, while Molly
was telling Jane, and George Washington, about her
great disappointment, she saw John, Miss Sylvia’s
coachman, come up the steps with a note. She went
to the door herself. Is it for me ? ” she asked.
48
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Yes, miss.”
Molly ran with her note to her mamma, who read
it aloud.
My dear little Molly and Julia (and my
larger but not quite grown-up Flora and Elizabeth),
— I am so sorry that I chose the wrong birthday.
But is n’t it lucky that I have n’t any birthday this
year? Because if it had really been the 1st of May
we could n’t have postponed it, but as it really is n’t,
we can have the feast just as well next Saturday,
on the 8th, and if it turns out that I have made
another mistake, and the weather still thinks it too
early to go to the woods, why we ’ll have my birth-
day the next Saturday ; so if your mamma does n’t
get tired making little cakes, I won’t get tired plan-
ning for my birthday.
Your loving friend,
Sylvia Russell.
The next Saturday morning, when Molly went to
the window to let in Nonesuch, the sun was gayly
shining on a world that was fresh with the beauty
of early spring.
At eleven o’clock Miss Sylvia’s carriage came for
the little girls. Julia and Molly sat on the front
A MOVABLE FEAST.
49
seat with J ohn, and Flora and Elizabeth sat behind
with Miss Sylvia.
When they reached the woods, Miss Sylvia found
a mossy rock under a tree which she said they would
have for their dinner - table by and by, and they
left their lunch-baskets and shawls there while they
went to look for mayflowers.
It is rather late for them,” she said. But I
hope a few of them knew about my movable birth-
day, and were kind enough to put off blossoming
until to-day.”
It was very beautiful in the woods. The leaves
were only beginning to open, and so a great deal
of sunshine came in and lighted up the green grass
and the soft green moss and the red checkerberries.
Molly began pulling at the mayflower leaves as she
saw the others do. At first nobody found any blos-
soms.
They are shy little things,” said Miss Sylvia,
and they have hidden under the moss and the
evergreen.”
I ’m afraid they thought your birthday was last
Saturday,” said Elizabeth.
No they did n’t,” Molly cried excitedly. They
remembered ! ” She had found a spray well hidden
under the moss that was full of beautiful pink bios-
50
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
soms and half-opened buds, and they were so fra-
grant that the little girl thought she had never
smelled anything half so sweet.
Take it, Miss Sylvia,” and Molly held up the
long spray shyly.
^^It is the pinkest that I have ever seen,” said
Miss Sylvia, as she touched it caressingly. It is
almost as pink as my Sunday valentine.”
And ever so much sweeter,” said Molly.
A great many mayflowers had remembered Miss
Sylvia’s birthday. The children liked to hunt for
them among the dead leaves and the evergreens.
Sometimes a rabbit or a squirrel would look at them
with his bright eyes, as he frisked past them, and
sometimes a bird would sing to them. Molly
thought that she had never seen so beautiful a place
as this wood full of flowers and wild creatures.
After they had picked all the mayflowers that
they could find. Miss Sylvia said she thought they
might like to make a wood and a lake just as she
used to do when she was a little girl.
Shall we make a wild lake in the Adirondacks,
where there are n’t any people ? ” she asked.
How can you make a lake when there is n’t any
water here?” Julia protested.
Miss Sylvia took an irregular piece of glass out
A MOVABLE FEAST.
61
of one of the baskets, and said, When my mirror
fell and broke the other day, I thought, ^ Now we
can have a lake on Saturday when we go to the
woods.”
She put the glass down on the ground as she
spoke. The children pulled the moss up around the
edge so that nobody could see that it was only a
broken piece of glass. It looked hke a tiny, tiny
lake for very small people.
I think we ought to have some trees,” said Eliz-
abeth.
Is n’t the moss their trees ? ” asked Molly.
No, it is only their bushes. What kind of trees
shall we have ? ”
Birch trees,” said Molly, for they have the
smallest leaves.”
They had almost no leaves, for they were just
beginning to open. The children picked some little
branches, and stuck a great many of them into the
ground close together near the lake, so that they
might look like a wood.
We ought to have some pine trees, too, if it is
a lake in the Adirondacks,” said Miss Sylvia. We
must certainly have some ^ first growths ’ ; that
means the very oldest trees that have been growing
for years and years.”
62
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
The children ran off much pleased to look for
pine balsam trees. Julia was the first to find one.
They all broke off small branches and stuck them
into the ground in among the birches. They looked
very tall and majestic, and Miss Sylvia said it was
evidently a primeval forest.”
^^Let us have some apple-trees, too,” she said,
full of ripe, red apples.”
^^It isn’t the season for apples,” said Julia.
I am sure that apple-trees would n’t grow where
there were n’t any people,” added Flora.
Oh, you terribly practical children ! When
I was a little girl it was the season for apples all
the year round, and they always grew in a primeval
forest.”
I think it is the season for apples in the Adiron-
dacks,” said Elizabeth.
And I am sure that somebody lived there once,”
said Miss Sylvia. ^^A kind of Robinson Crusoe.
He lived there a long time and he planted the ap-
ple-trees, and after a while he went back to his old
home, but the apple-trees lived and flourished.”
As she spoke she picked some sprays of checker-
berry with their green leaves and bright red ber-
ries.
Molly clapped her hands. Oh, Miss Sylvia,
A MOVABLE FEAST,
53
how dear they are. They are little baby ap-
ples ! ”
I think we will have only a few apple-trees,”
Miss Sylvia decided. One for each of us.”
Molly and Julia planted five little apple-trees full
of red apples close to the edge of the lake.”
They are Fameuses,” said Molly.
“ No, they are Baldwins,” said Julia.
I am sure they are Astrachans,” said Elizabeth,
because they come very early before the leaves
turn.”
The little forest was reflected in the placid lake,
and so were the five apple trees. Molly counted
five more apple trees, only these were upside down.
This is the loveliest place I ever saw ; it is like
the Garden of Eden,” said Molly, who had just
learned about the Garden of Eden at Sunday-school.
Where are Adam and Eve ? ” asked J ulia.
Molly looked perplexed. They have been
turned out,” she said at last, brightening, because
they ate one of those dear little apples.”
It was time for luncheon now, and Miss Sylvia
and the older children went to prepare for the feast,
while Molly and Julia had a tea-party on the edge
of the lake, with twigs for people and acorn cups
for dishes.
54
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Miss Sylvia called them when lunch was ready,
and they were sure that they had never seen any
table look so pretty. There was a garland of may-
flowers around the edge of the white table-cloth on
the rock, and on this table-cloth were the little
cakes that Molly’s mamma had made, and some very
small biscuits that Bridget had baked on purpose for
the feast, while Miss Sylvia had brought tiny sand-
wiches, crackers with jelly between them, olives and
candy. Everything tasted very delicious, because
they were all so hungry.
What fun we are having ! ” said Molly. I am
glad it rained last Saturday, for if we had come
then we should n’t be here now. Did you use to
have such a nice time when you were a little girl.
Miss Sylvia ? ”
Yes, your aunt Mary and I used to have lakes
and forests and crotched-stick people.”
But you seem ever so much younger than Aunt
Mary,” said Molly.
That is because I have had only six birthdays.”
Sfuite*
PKISCILLA.
In June, Molly and her mamma went to spend
a week with Mrs. Benson’s mother, who lived, in
summer, in an old-fashioned farm-house on a New
Hampshire hillside. Molly was very fond of her
grandmother, and of her aunt Ruth, and this year
her aunt Flora, whom she had never seen, was to be
there too, with her little daughter Priscilla. Pris-
cilla was just Molly’s age, and Molly was delighted
to make the acquaintance of a new cousin.
When Molly and her mamma reached the farm-
house, they saw Priscilla standing in the doorway
with a very short black gown on and very long
slim legs in black stockings.
“ She ’s lots taller than I am,” said Molly, in a
disappointed tone, and I wish I had such short
dresses ; but why does she have on a black dress,
mamma ? ”
‘^Because her papa has died, Molly.”
56
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX,
Molly looked very sober. Poor Priscilla/’ she
said. She had known that she should like her
cousin, but now she felt as if she could not love her
enough.
She ran up the steps and flung her arms around
her aunt Ruth.
Priscilla,” said her aunt, this is your little
cousin Molly ; shake hands with her.”
Priscilla put out a small brown hand awkwardly.
I am very glad to see you,” said Molly ; and
I am so sorry that I could n’t have brought None-
such. She is my pussy-cat, but papa said he would
be too lonely if mamma and Nonesuch and I all
came away together.”
Priscilla looked hard at Molly with her black
eyes. She was shy with children of her own age,
for she had no brothers or sisters, and it seemed to
her as if she could not say one word.
I think if we leave these children together they
will get acquainted faster,” said their aunt Ruth.
I will show you to your room, Jenny.”
As her aunt went out of the room, poor Priscilla
cast a beseeching glance at her. She wriggled
about on her chair, and looked down at the pattern
on the rug.
Do you like candy ? ” she asked at last, in de-
spair.
PRISCILLA.
67
Very much/’ said Molly, brightening.' ^^Have
you got some ? ”
No,” said Priscilla, growing very red. My
mamma generally does not let me eat it.”
“ Oh,” said Molly, trying to hide her disappoint-
ment. I never can have much,” she added.
There was another long pause.
Don’t you think it would be nice to go out to
the barn and see the cows ? ” Molly asked, sliding
down from her chair. Last year there were such
pretty cows and lovely bossies.”
‘‘ There is a bossy out there now,” said Priscilla.
It ’s quite small. Its name is Daisy ; it ’s quite
yellow.
How perfectly lovely,” said Molly. Let ’s go
to see it right off.”
The ice was broken, and when the little girls came
in from the barn their arms were around each oth-
er’s waists, and they were chattering as fast as if
they had known each other all their lives. A bossy
is a very enlivening mutual friend.
The next morning Molly could hardly wait until
breakfast was over, she was so eager to go to the
barn with her aunt Kuth and PrisciUa when they fed
the chickens.
After breakfast the two little girls followed their
68
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
aunt into the kitchen, where she put some Indian
meal in a large yellow bowl, and turned some water
on it and stirred it with a spoon. Then she carried
the bowl out to the hencoop, which was close by the
barn. In the coop there was a brown hen, who had
twelve dear, downy, fluffy little yellow chickens.
Let me feed them,” Molly begged.
The little chickens were afraid to come to her,
and the old hen scolded away in an angry fashion.
Give the hen a little to try, Molly,” said her
aunt, and when she sees how good it is she will
tell all the little chickens that they may have some.”
Molly took the spoon and dropped a little of the
meal inside the coop. The old hen tasted it and
thought it very delicious.
Cluck ! Cluck ! Cluck ! ” she said, and all the
Httle chickens ran as fast as they could to the meal
which Molly held in her hand, almost tumbling over
each other in their eagerness to get a taste.
^^I suppose it is like ice-cream to them,” said
Molly. They are such dear, soft little things,”
she added, as she stroked them.
After the chickens were fed, Molly and Priscilla
went into the garden with their aunt. Molly thought
that she had never seen such a beautiful garden.
The rosebushes were covered with blossoms and
MOLLY FEEDING THE CHICKENS
PRISCILLA.
59
half-opened buds, and the air was full of their fra-
grance and of the odor of mignonette ; and there
were pink-and-white dyaletras too, and blue lark-
spurs, and so many yellow butterflies flitting from
flower to flower that Molly could not count them.
She and Priscilla helped their aunt Kuth cut long
sprays of pink roses, and white roses, and red ones,
and they carried them into the house for her in a
large basket. She gave them each a small bowl to
fill with roses, because they were little girls, and she
arranged some in a large bowl, because she was a
grown-up person. When the house was fragrant
with roses, the children went out-of-doors again.
Let ’s play a game,” said Molly. Let ’s play
^ Follow your Leader,’ and you will have to do every
single thing that I do.”
All right,*^’ said Priscilla, only I will be leader,
and you must do just what I do.”
She led Molly a race all over the barn, and then
through the garden and back to the barn, sometimes
hopping on one foot, and sometimes waving both
hands wildly in . the air, while Molly tried hard to
keep in view a pair of slim black legs which whisked
very fast around corners. At last Priscilla climbed
the ladder that led to the hayloft and sank down
on the hay. Molly scrambled up the ladder, quite
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX,
out of breath, only to see Priscilla slip over the edge
of the loft and land on the hay below. She looked
up with laughing eyes at Molly.
You’ve got to do it; you promised to follow
me!”
Molly went to the edge of the loft and leaned
over dubiously. I ’m afraid.”
Coward 1 ”
It might hurt me.”
It ’s only soft hay ; and it ’s great fun ; it ’s just
like flying.”
But I ’m not a bird.”
I would n’t be a fraid cat,” said Priscilla, and
besides, you promised.”
Molly hung her feet over the edge of what ap-
peared to her a frightful precipice and looked down
at her smiling cousin.
Come on,” said Priscilla. One, two, three.”
Oh, I can’t do it,” said Molly, drawing back.
^^I hate people who are afraid,” observed Pris-
cilla, and you promised, you know.”
Molly slipped part way over the edge. It seemed
to the poor little girl as if she could never land
safely on the hay below.
One, two, three.”
She had let go and was flying through the air,
PRISCILLA.
61
and-— here she was at the bottom, quite safe and
sound, only a little out of breath.
Is n’t it fun ? ” asked Priscilla.
I don’t know,” said Molly doubtfully. But be-
fore the morning was over she liked it just as much
as Priscilla did.
While they were sitting together in the hayloft,
Priscilla accidentally ran her head into a large cob-
web, and got her hair and dress covered with it.
You must do it too, MoUy,” she said. I am the
leader.”
“ But you did not do it on purpose,” Molly pro-
tested, and it is so horrid.”
Never mind ; you must do it.”
But there may be spiders in it.”
There are, but you have got to do it.”
I would rather go into the house to see Aunt
Kuth.”
You don’t play fairly ; you must run your head
into the cobweb ; it ’s part of the game, and then I
will tell you a lovely story about a fairy princess.”
So Molly ran her curly head into the cobweb and
was well covered with dust and dirt ; and when the
two little girls went in to dinner Priscilla’s mamma
said, Priscilla Drayton, what a looking child !
What have you been doing ? ”
62
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
And Molly’s mamma said^ My dear little girl,
did n’t you remember that I put a clean gingham on
you this morning? ”
Molly hung her head.
It was all my fault, Aunt Jenny,” said Pris=
cilia.
Priscilla is generally very good,” said Priscilla’s
mamma, “ but she is n’t used to playing with other
children, and it excites her.”
Molly is the best little thing at home,” said
Molly’s mamma. ST
They seemed so quiet and demure yesterday
afternoon,” said their grandmother.
Quiet and demure they might be when they were
apart, but they were never quiet and demure again
when they were together. The long summer days
were not long enough for Molly and Priscilla, and
the week sped by altogether too fast.
Poor Priscilla was inconsolable when the last day
came. She had never seen so much of any little girl
before, and she loved Molly with all the passionate
affection of a lonely child.
Oh, dear, oh, dear,” she sobbed. It seems as
if I should truly die if you go home, Molly.”
But you are coming to stay with us at Christ-
mas,” said Molly cheerfully.
PRISCILLA.
63
Christmas is years and years away. Wouldn’t
you like to stay here all summer and be my sister ? ”
Molly did not want to hurt the feelings of her
dear Priscilla whom she loved so much, but she
loved so many people at home that she was not
sorry to be going there.
I should like it if you could he my sister and
live with me,” she said ; but I have Flora, and Tur-
ner, and Ruth, and papa, and Aunt Mary, and my
dear Nonesuch, and then there is Julia Esterhazy
and Miss Sylvia Russell, so you see I could n’t live
with you.”
When it was time for Molly and her mamma to
be driven to the station, Molly’s hat was nowhere
to be found. They looked for it high and low, in
the hayloft and in the garden, as well as all over
the house.
Molly, you must not be so careless,” said her
mamma. I am afraid we shall lose the train.”
Priscilla, red-eyed and very sober, sat silently in a
corner of the room.
If you expect to catch the train, you must start
at once,” said Mrs. Benson’s mother.
We shall have to lend Molly one of Priscilla^s
hats,” said Mrs. Drayton. Priscilla, run upstairs
and bring me down your best hat.”
64
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Priscilla was gone a long time, and when she came
back she had Molly’s brown hat in her hand. I
found it/’ she said. I hid it, for I thought if she
did n’t have a hat she could n’t go home ; but if
she ’s got to go, I ’d rather she would go in her old
hat than in my best one.”
They did lose the train, and came back to spend
one more night. Priscilla was much pleased at
first, but as the evening wore on she felt that it
would have been better if Molly had gone in the
afternoon, for now they must have the sad parting
all over again.
The next day, just before Molly was to go home,
Priscilla came into her room with a ten-cent piece in
her hand.
Molly,” she said, I love you very much, and
I want to give you something to remember me by,
and I have n’t anything but common money.”
I don’t want to take your ten-cent piece,” said
Molly, for she knew that her cousin had very little
money.
Molly, money is nothing to me,” said Priscilla
loftily ; I only care for it for what it will buy.”
It will buy such lovely things,” said Molly, look-
ing wistfully at the dime, paper-doll furniture and
dear Httle china dolls.”
PRISCILLA.
65
And tissue paper for paper dolls’ dresses/’ added
Priscilla^ pink and blue and yellow.”
Poor Priscilla was already half sorry that she had
been so generous, as visions of the enchanting things
she had meant to buy with that ten -cent piece
floated before her eyes.
Take it ! ” she cried heroically, as she thrust it.
into Molly’s hand.
Molly hesitated.
Take it ! ” Priscilla repeated.
Molly got her little purse, which had just a dime
in it, and looked doubtfully at Priscilla’s money.
Fourth of July is coming,” she observed; per-
haps you might want your ten cents.”
Priscilla caught a glimpse of that other dime in
Molly’s purse. The sight of it and the idea of the
Fourth of July were too much for her strength of
mind.
Molly,” she suggested, suppose we exchange.
Suppose I give you my dime and you give me yours ?
Then we shall each have something that belongs to
the other.”
HOW MOLLY SPENT HER TEN CENTS.
Molly meant to keep Priscilla’s ten cents always,
but she had not been at home many days before
she received a letter from her cousin that changed
her plans. It was a long letter because Priscilla
had dictated it to her mamma. Molly’s mamma
read it aloud.
Dear Molly, — I miss you very, very much.
I cried the day you went, for it was so lonely. I
have spent your ten cents. I meant to get pink and
blue and yellow tissue paper, but the Fourth of July
came and I got fire-crackers instead. They are all
gone now, but it was fun while they lasted. They
made a splendid noise. I Hke fire-crackers.
We have a new bossy. She is an Alderney, and
she is mine. I have named her for the person I
love the best next to mamma. She has a very pretty
name. Can you guess what it is ? ”
HOW MOLLY SPENT HER TEN CENTS. 67
Molly’s mamma paused when she came to this
part of the letter.
Ruth, for Aunt Ruth ? ” Molly suggested.
^^No.”
Rebecca, for grandmamma ? ”
No.”
What has she named it ? ”
I have named her Molly for you,” Mrs. Benson
read.
Molly looked very much pleased at the idea of
having such a charming namesake.
Please get something to remember me by on
my birthday,” the letter proceeded. ^^As I have
spent your ten cents, I want you to spend mine, and
then we shall be even. My birthday is the 8th of
July. I wish you were my sister.
Your loving cousin,
‘^Priscilla Drayton.”
^^It is the 8th of July to-day, Molly dear,” said
Mrs. Benso.n.
Then I think I had better go and look around
in the shops.”
^^You will find a great variety of things at
Fletcher’s,” said her mamma ; and if you like, you
68
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
may go there all by yourself like a grown-up per-
son.”
This pleased Molly, and she put on her brown
hat and started out with a littlo shopping-bag that
her aunt Ruth had given her at Christmas, with her
small purse in the bottom holding her ten -cent
piece. Just as she reached the gate, she saw Julia
JEsterhazy coming out of the big white house across
the way.
Where are you going, Molly?” Julia asked.
1 was coming over to play with you.”
I am going down town shopping,” said Molly,
feeling that she was a very important person.
What are you groins to buy ? ”
don’t know.”
You don’t know what you are going to buy ? ”
It may be tissue paper, or it may be paper dolls’
furniture, or it may be a new dress for Sylvia or
Jane, but whatever it is, it must cost just ten
cents ; ” and Molly told Julia the story of the ex-
change of the dimes.
I should get candy if it were mine,” said Julia,
and then you could give me some.”
But I don’t want to eat up my lovely present,”
said Molly.
It was a warm day, and the two little girls
HOW MOLLY SPENT HER TEN CENTS. 69
were glad to get under shelter away from the hot
sun.
Fletcher’s was a very delightful shop. It had
almost everything in it that any one could want.
In fact, it was so full of charming things that it was
hard to make a choice. Molly’s eyes were first fas-
cinated by a card fuU of paper-doll children, and
their pretty blue, red, and white dresses. There
was a back and a front view of each little girl that
were to be cut out and pasted together to make
a complete person, and there were besides a ten-
nis racket and a hoop and a dear little doll in a
doll’s carriage for the paper-doll children to play
with, and a shopping-bag and a green watering-pot.
Molly was afraid these children and their outfit
cost a great deal of money, and that she could not
afford to buy them.
How much are they ? ” she shyly asked the man
behind the counter.
Twelve cents and a half a card. They are
cheap for that, for they came from Germany. Do
you want one of these cards ? ”
Molly shook her head. I only have ten cents,”
she answered, with a sigh.
I would caU it ten cents, seeing that it is you,”
he said.
70
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
He was a pleasant man, with kind gray eyes.
Ten cents is dirt cheap for two children and their
entire wardrobe, not to mention playthings,” he
added.
Yes, it is very cheap,” said Molly.
Julia, meanwhile, had discovered some paper-doll
furniture. One card was full of kitchen things, and
another was devoted to parlor furniture, while a
third displayed a bedroom set.
How perfectly beautiful ! ” Molly said, as she
looked at the little brown bureau, with its white-
and-red bureau cover and the red pincushion full
of pins.
What a dear Httle rug ! ” said Julia, pointing
to a charming brown coon-skin rug.
And look at the towels and the little towel-
rack,” said Molly.
And the bed and washstand and the pretty blue
screen,” added Julia.
See the brown chairs and the dear little brown
clock. What fun it would be to cut them out,
Julia.”
^^Look at the parlor set,” said Julia. ^^See the
piano, and the red sofa and chairs, and the tall
piano-lamp with its red shade.”
The kitchen is a dear place,” said Molly. See
HOW MOLLY SPENT HER TEN CENTS. 71
the table with a lobster on it in a dish, and the
sweet little cooking-stove, and the pretty blue dishes
in the cupboard ; they all look so real/’
^^See the spice-box,” said Julia. Pepper, nut
meg, c-i-n-n-a-m-o-n, cinnamon.”
Oh, look at that dear pussy cat in the kitchen ! ”
said Molly. ^^How much are these cards?” she
asked.
Ten cents apiece.”
Only ten cents ! I don’t know which I want
the most.”
I should choose the parlor set,” said Julia,
like the kitchen and the bedroom set best,
because we could have the most fun with them.”
The same things come at five cents a card in a
smaller size,” the man behind the counter stated.
At five cents a card ! Then I can have two of
them, Julia ! and I can send one of them to Pris-
cilla, for poor Priscilla has spent all her money
on fire-crackers, and has n’t anything to remember
me by.”
I should keep them both,” said Julia. If she
chose to spend her money on fire-crackers, that is
her lookout. We could have lots more fun with the
kitchen and parlor furniture too.”
^^Yes, we could,” said MoUy. must look
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
T2
around a little more before I decide/’ she added pru-
dently. Oh, Julia ! See that pretty pink gingham
with white spots on it ! How becoming that would
be to Sylvia ! It takes only half a yard for her
clothes. How much is it for half a yard ? ”
“ It is twenty-five cents a yard/’ the clerk re-
plied.
How much would that be for half a yard,
Julia?”
I don’t know.”
We don’t know how much it would be for half
a yard/’ said Molly appealingly.
Well, I ’ll call it ten cents.”
Ten cents ! ” said Molly. She was almost sorry,
for if it had cost more she could not have bought it,
and it would have been a little easier to choose.
Look at this sweet doll, Molly,” said Julia, from
the other end of the shop. A tiny doU and yet
so prettily dressed. How much is it ? ”
Ten cents.”
Everything is ten cents in this store,” said
Molly, in despair. ^^I can’t ever decide; but I
have so many dolls that I don’t really need any
more.”
Oh, Molly, see this ! ” and Julia paused before
a tall, round basket. A white card hung above it,
HOW MOLLY SPENT HER TEN CENTS. 73
and on this card was printed in large black let-
ters : —
CHILDREN’S GRAB BASKET.
5 CENTS A GRAB.
EACH ARTICLE FULLY WORTH 7 CENTS.
Julia pushed up the cover of the basket, and she
and Molly peeped in over the top. There were flat
parcels to be seen and three-cornered parcels, and
long ones and square ones, and they were all done
up in tissue paper. There was something very
interesting and mysterious about the grab basket.
Those paper packages might have something in them
even rarer and more beautiful than the paper dolls,
or the furniture, or the pink gingham.
You could have two grabs for ten cents,” Julia
suggested. You could grab and I could grab, and
I could give you my thing.”
She was longing to know the contents of a certain
interesting irregular parcel.
The furniture is so sweet,” said Molly ; and I
am sure I want it.”
The paper dolls are sweet, too,” said Julia.
Yes, and so is the pink gingham. I shall have
to grab to decide it.”
Meanwhile a more important customer had come
74
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
in with whom the clerk was absorbed, so Molly went
over to him and handed him her ten cents.
We have decided to take two grabs, and here
is the money,” she said.
All right. Did you say you would have silesia
or percaline, madam ? ” he asked, turning to the
other customer.
You grab first,” said Julia.
Molly looked from the flat parcels to the three-
cornered ones, and could not decide which to choose.
I think I will shut up my eyes,” she said, and
she put in her hand at random and pulled out a
small, flat parcel. She opened it eagerly, and took
out a block of black paper, to be used as a slate,
and a pencil with which to write on it. She was
sadly disappointed, and felt very much like crying.
^^It is a horrid thing,” said Julia. We don’t
want a paper slate when you have got that nice
blackboard. You were very silly to shut your eyes.
I shall choose with my eyes open. I am going to
take that queer thing that looks as if it might be a
doll.”
She took out the enticing-looking package, and
began to untie the string, and presently drew forth
a pink-and-green-and-white china vase of a hideous
shape. It was too large for dolls and too small foi
people, and too ugly to please either.
HOW MOLLY SPENT HER TEN CENTS. 75
That grab bag is perfectly horrid/’ said Julia.
Molly was sure that she had never been so un-
happy. She knew, now that it was too late, that
she wanted the paper-doll furniture more than any-
thing in the whole world. The two little girls were
very sober all the way home. When they reached
Molly’s gate, Julia handed over the vase.
Take the old thing,” she said. You have got
something to remember Priscilla by always now, and
you can send the paper slate to her.”
W ell, what did you buy, dear ? ” her mamma
asked cheerfully, as Molly came into the parlor.
The little girl found it hard to keep back her
tears. Her aunt Mary and Turner were sitting
there too. She felt that it would have been easier
to confess her folly to her mamma alone.
She held up the vase and the paper block si-
lently.
The block was a sensible choice,” said her
mamma, but I don’t see why you chose the vase.
« I did n’t choose either of them,” Molly burst
out. We grabbed and we got them.”
In short, they chose you,” said Turner.
Then the little girl told the whole sad story. I
did want the paper-doll furniture so much,” she
ended.
76
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
« Why did n’t you buy it, then ? ” asked her
aunt.
Because we thought it would be more fun to
grab.”
This will be a very good lesson for you, Molly,”
said her aunt. It is never well to spend money
unless you are sure what you are spending it for.
I am sorry for you, but you will never be so foolish
again.”
There will be time to go to Fletcher’s before
tea,” said Turner. I will go with you, and we
will pretend that the dime I have was Priscilla’s, and
you shall choose what you want all over again.”
Miss Benson raised her eyebrows in disapproval,
but Turner added quickly, She can’t learn a les-
son, Aunt Mary, unless she has some more money
to spend.”
Molly danced up and down with pleasure, and
she and Turner went to Fletcher’s together. This
time she made her choice very quickly, for she knew
just what she wanted. She bought the bedroom
set and the kitchen furniture. She remembered
Julia’s words : I should keep them both. If Pris-
cilla chose to spend her money on fire-crackers, that
is her lookout.”
But now she herself had spent her money fool*
HOW MOLLY SPENT HER TEN CENTS. 77
ishly, and if Turner had thought, as Julia did, that
nobody who had made an unwise investment ought
to have anything given her, she would never have
had the dear paper-doll furniture. So she kept the
kitchen set, and sent the bedroom set to Priscilla.
aiugu^ft
LITTLE MISS KOBINSON CEUSOE.
In August, Molly went to the seashore with her
aunt Mary and Euth and Turner. The Bensons
had taken a cottage there for six weeks. As it
was a very small cottage, and they were not a very
small family, they could not all be there at once ;
and besides, somebody had to stay at home with
Molly’s papa until his vacation.
The cottage was close by the sea, and there was a
beach where Molly could dig with her shovel, and
where she could go in bathing with the others, in
her little red bathing-dress. It was all pleasant
enough, but there were times when she was very
lonely, for all her life she had had a child to play
with, and now there was nobody, not even Flora.
She used to look wistfully at the children on the
beach, and tell her aunt Mary about them.
^^None of them are the right size,” she would
say. They are either too big or too little ; but
LITTLE MISS ROBINSON CRUSOE. 79
there was a sweet one in the water to-day. She was
very young, not more than four ; but she would be
better than nothing. Can’t you ask her mamma if
if I may play with her ? ”
I don’t know her mamma, Molly.”
Can’t you find some Httle girl the right age,
Aunt Mary ? ”
I can’t go about like the town crier, asking if
anybody has a little girl six years old who could
play with my niece Molly.”
Molly laughed.
There are a great many Httle girls who don’t
have any child to play with. Think of poor Pris-
cilla,” said Miss Benson. Suppose you and I go
to the beach and try to find some of those pretty
shells. Don’t you think that I am almost as nice
as a little girl, Molly ? ”
You are different. I love you best, but you
don’t dig wells and play house. You just read your
book and say, ^ Don’t get your feet wet, Molly
Benson.’ ”
Molly and her aunt went over to the long beach
beyond the bathing beach, and they were soon so
busy picking up shells that Molly forgot to wish for
a child. It was such a beautiful day that one could
not but be happy. The sky was blue, and the sea
80
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
was bluer still, and there was enough wind to make
little waves, just the right size for a little girl, and
there was a great deal of brown seaweed on the
beach, and there were so many shells that Molly
began to dance with delight. They were all of one
variety, but some were pale cream color, and others
were a brighter yellow. The most remarkable thing
about them was that each shell had a small hole at
one end. They seemed made on purpose for a little
girl to string together. On the whole, Molly had a
pleasant afternoon, although her aunt grew tired of
looking for shells after a time, and sat down on the
sand and put up her red sunshade and took out her
book. Molly hated that book, for it was always
appearing just as she was beginning to have a nice
time. To-day she had not seen it, for it had been
concealed in her aunt’s brown shopping-bag. Molly
could not understand how any one could want to
read when it was possible to pick up shells and dig
deep wells in the sand. She had never been away
from her mamma so long before, and she missed her
sadly, for she was one of those grown people who
seem exactly like a little girl, and so did Ruth when
she had any time to give to Molly, but at present
she and Turner were very busy, for they had a great
many friends who invited them to take long sails oi
LITTLE MISS ROBINSON CRUSOE. 81
to play tennis. Molly could not go on sails because
it made her seasick, and nobody seemed to remem-
ber how much she liked to play tennis in her own
way.
One afternoon, Ruth found her crying. Why,
you poor little dear, what is the matter?’’ she
asked.
Turner does n’t want me to play tennis with him
and Frank,” she sobbed. But I would have
picked up the balls for them so nicely ; and Aunt
Mary says you won’t want to be bothered with me,
and that I may go to the post-office with her when
she finishes her letters. I don’t want to go to the
post-office ! It is n’t a pretty walk ! She told me
I ought to be thankful I was at the seashore, for
so many children can’t go there, but I ’m not glad
one bit. The seashore is n’t any use if you have n’t
anybody to play with, and your brother is cross,
and you can’t go to the beach, but have to take a
walk in the dusty, hot road to the horrid post-office.
She says I am a naughty girl. Oh, dear, I want
to go home to papa and mamma and Flora.”
I will go to the beach with you, Molly,” said
Ruth, if Aunt Mary does n’t mind.”
Molly stopped crying and her face brightened.
Run and tell her that I will take care of you
82
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
until tea-time, and that she can have an ^ afternoon
out»’ ”
Molly ran off, and came back presently. She
says I may go ! She says I may go ! ’’ she cried,
clapping her hands.
suppose I may as well take a book,” Ruth
suggested.
Oh, please don’t; you might lose it, you know.”
Ruth laughed. I am afraid you are getting
spoiled,” she said ; but she did not take her book.
It was not so many years since she had been a little
girl herself, and she could remember how unhappy
she was when Turner went away and she had n’t
anybody to play with. She and Molly walked to
the long beach, and dug such deep wells that Ruth
expected every moment to reach China ; and they
made a fort, and watched the tide rise and wash it
away.
Suppose we walk to the httle desert island at
the end of the beach,” said Ruth at last. I have
never been there, and it looks as if Robinson Crusoe
lived there.”
It is n’t really an island,” Molly declared.
I know it, and I don’t suppose we shall really
find Robinson Crusoe ; but we may as well imag-
ine something interesting while we are about it.”
DIGGING DOWN TO CHiNA
LITTLE MISS ROBINSON CRUSOE. 83
The water went almost around the point that they
called Robinson Crusoe’s island, and when the tide
was high, as it was now, only a narrow, rocky path
led to it. Ruth and Molly picked their way over
the stones. The white sand dune and the long,
coarse green grass looked very picturesque against
the blue sky.
We ought to find a deserted hut on the other
side of that sand dune,” Ruth observed impressively.
When they reached the desert island,” Molly
ran on ahead. Now we will find Robinson Cru-
soe’s house,” she cried. She stopped suddenly on
the other side of the sand dune. It is here ! A
real little house ! ” she said.
There, in very truth, was a little shelter some-
thing like their summer-house in the garden at
home, with a roof and a seat. On this seat there
was a red parasol.
^^It must be that Mrs. Robinson Crusoe lives
here,” said Molly, much pleased.
Look on the floor,” said Ruth.
Under the seat was a small pail, just the size of
Molly’s pail, and painted blue like hers, and in it
was a small shovel, just the size of Molly’s shovel ;
while in a corner of the summer-house sat a doll, a
charming Paris doll, with flaxen hair and brown
84
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
eyes. She wore a pink gingham gown and a broad-
brimmed white hat.
Oh/’ said Molly, with a sigh of delight, there
is a little Miss Robinson Crusoe ! ”
We will sit on this seat to rest,” said Ruth ; I
don’t believe the Robinson Crusoes will mind.”
Presently they saw two sail -boats coming into
view, and also two tiny sail-boats, the right size for
a family of dolls.
Look, Ruth,” said Molly eagerly ; see the big
sail-boats and their children. Did you ever see any-
thing so sweet as those little young, small sail-boats,
exactly like the big ones ! They look as if they
were just hatched out.”
In each of the large boats was a grave, elderly
gentleman.
I know who they are,” said Ruth ; one of
them is Esther Dana’s father, and the other must be
Mr. Townsend. They are great yachtsmen, and the
little boats must be models that they are trying.”
It was so exciting to watch the boats that Molly
forgot all about little Miss Robinson Crusoe until
the fleet went around the promontory and was lost
to sight.
I suppose we may as well go home,” Ruth said,
after the last sail had disappeared.
LITTLE MISS ROBINSON CRUSOE. 85
Please can’t we wait to see if Mrs. Robinson
Crusoe and her little girl won’t come back ? ” Molly
begged.
A moment later, a lady and a child came into
view.
‘^They are coming,” said Molly. ^^They have
been down to the beach to watch the boats. There
is a little Miss Robinson Crusoe ! There truly is !
And she ’s just about as large as I am.”
Ruth stepped forward to explain to the lady how
they happened to be where they were. Mrs. Robin-
son Crusoe had a pleasant face, and she looked at
the sisters with interest. Little Miss Robinson Cru-
soe clung to her mamma, and whispered something
that Molly could not hear.
Yes,” said Mrs. Robinson Crusoe, I will ask
her.”
Are not you one of Mrs. Benson’s daughters ? ”
she inquired of Ruth, presently.
Yes, I am Ruth, and this is Molly.”
I used to go to school with your mother. I
have been trying to get to see her ever since she has
been down here.”
Mamma will be delighted to see you,” said
Ruth, but she will not be here until next week.”
The little girl pulled her mamma’s gown impa-
86
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
tiently again and whispered something, looking hard
at Molly.
Lucy is very anxious to know if Molly cannot
come to play with her sometimes,” said Lucy’s
mother.
Molly will he very glad to play with Lucy,” Ruth
replied.
The children immediately made friends over the
Paris doll.
What is her name ? ” Molly asked.
Grace.”
That is a pretty name. I have a Sylvia at
home who looks something like her, oxcept she has
blue eyes. I only brought Jane down here, for
there was n’t room for my whole family, and she
needed the change most. Your little pail and shovel
are just like mine.”
Do you like to dig wells ? ” Lucy asked.
I love it. Do you like to play house ? ”
Of course I do.”
Whose little boats are those that were sailing
around the point just now ? ” was the next question.
One of them is my papa’s, and he will sail it
for us to-morrow if we like.”
^^Do you play house every day in this dear
LITTLE MISS ROBINSON CRUSOE. 87
Yes, with mamma. I have n’t any little girl
to play with, but now you have come we can keep
house together.”
Molly,” said Ruth, it is getting late, we must
go home.”
“ But I can come again to-morrow, can’t I, Ruth ? ”
Molly pleaded.
Do let her,” said Mrs. Robinson Crusoe.
Yes, she can come if Aunt Mary does not ob-
ject.”
^^Be sure to bring Jane to-morrow,” said Lucy,
as she bade Molly good-by.
The next day, Ruth took Molly to the point early
in the morning. Lucy was waiting for her with
Grace in her arms, and Mrs. Robinson Crusoe was
sitting in the shelter reading a book. Now that
Molly had a little girl to play with, it did, not trouble
her to have people read books.
Lucy and Molly became great friends before the
morning was over, and so did Grace and J ane.
After a time, Lucy’s papa came to say that he
would sail his little boat if they wished.
How lovely ! ” said Molly.
Would you like to have your daughter go on a
sail ? ” he asked Molly.
Is there room for her ? ”
88
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Yes, there is just room ; she is n’t so large as
Grace.”
The children walked down to the beach, carrying
their dolls. Mr. Robinson Crusoe put a shingle in
the sand for Grace to lean against, for he said she
looked delicate. He seated Jane in the little boat,
and he got into a row-boat himself. There was a
strong breeze, and the little boat flapped its sails
as a bird might flap its wings, and started to go
out to sea. The children looked on eagerly. Jane
seemed to enjoy her sail immensely at first, but all
at once there came a strong gust of wind, and the
Httle boat dipped far down in the water.
It ’s going to upset,” said Lucy.
^^Oh dear, Jane will drown,” cried Molly.
Alas ! before Mr. Robinson Crusoe could reach
the boat it had capsized, and poor Jane had sunk.
^^Papa, you must get her,” Lucy said eagerly,
she ’s Molly’s favorite child. She ’s there, right
there, under your oar.”
Of course I will get her,” he called back cheer-
fully ; I am not going to be responsible for the
death of a favorite child.”
Fortunately, the accident happened so near the
shore that Mr. Robinson Crusoe was able to fish
J ane out. Her clothes were all bedraggled, and her
LITTLE MISS ROBINSON CRUSOE. 89
complexion, which had been poor for a long time,
was ruined, but these are trifles to a mother, and
Molly clasped her in her arms with great joy.
When Mrs. Kobinson Crusoe saw what had hap-
pened, she said that Jane was so pale she must have
fainted, and that they ought to send for the doctor.
Mrs. Robinson Crusoe played that she was the doctor^
and she ordered a wash to be put on Jane’s face.
She had her painting materials with her, for she was
going to make a sketch later in the morning, so she
touched Jane’s complexion with the wash the doctor
recommended, and she looked as beautiful as she
had ever looked in her early youth.
When Turner came for Molly at noon and was
shown Jane, he said that the sea air had evidently
made her over.
Henceforth, every pleasant day Molly went to play
with Lucy, and Miss Benson and Ruth heard no
more about the lonely seashore ; for a desert island
is a charming spot, if the joys of the sea and the sand
can be shared with a little Miss Robinson Crusoe.
dfeeptcmBcr^
A FAMILY FLIGHT.
Molly and her aunt Mary came home from the
seashore before the rest of the family, to take care
of Molly’s papa, whose vacation was over early in
September.
The morning after their return, her aunt said.
There is something that I think you will like to
see down cellar, Molly.”
^^Down cellar!” said Molly. ‘^What can it
be?”
Guess.”
Apples ? ”
No.”
Rats ? ”
No, not rats.”
Something alive ? ”
Something very much alive.”
‘^Mice?”
^^No.”
A FAMILY FLIGHT.
91
I can’t guess/’ said Molly ; you will have to
tell me.”
I won’t tell you, but I will show you.”
Miss Benson went down the steep, dark cellar stairs
and Molly followed her. There was only a gray
light in the cellar, although the sun was shining, for
the windows were very small and high up. It was
cold and damp, and Molly was glad that she did not
have to live there. Her aunt went into the coal-cel-
lar, where a barrel was standing near the window.
Molly peeped over the edge, but the light was so
dim that at first she merely saw something moving.
Feel of them,” said her aunt.
Molly put her hand into the barrel, but before
she had touched anything. Nonesuch, who had just
come running down the cellar stairs, jumped into
the barrel. Molly’s eyes were getting used to the
light, and she cried in excitement, They are little
baby Nonesuches.”
Yes, little kittens,” said her aunt.
How many. Aunt Mary ? ”
Count them and see.”
Nonesuch won’t let me.”
Miss Benson put Nonesuch on the cellar floor,
and made her stay there while Molly counted the
kittens.
92
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
There are three of them ! Oh, Aunt Mary, how
lovely ! A white one with a little black spot on its
chin and a cunning black tail, and a yellow one, and
— oh. Aunt Mary ! there is a little tortoise-shell one
just like its mamma ! Oh, oh. Aunt Mary, it is
too sweet ! There will be one for Flora, when she
comes home, and one for me, and one for J ulia Es-
terhazy. May I go and get Julia now ? ”
Yes, if you like/’
Molly ran across the street to tell the good news
to Julia.
Guess what has happened over at our house ? ”
she cried. We have ever so many new people in
the family.”
^^Do you mean that your aunt Flora and your
cousin Priscilla have come to make you a visit ? ”
Julia inquired.
No, it is n’t big people, it ’s little people : a new
family. Nonesuch has three baby children, and you
are to have one.”
Julia was almost as excited as Molly, and she ran
eagerly after her across the street and down the cel-
lar stairs.
Miss Benson followed the children, and took one
kitten after another out of the barrel that Julia
might get a good view of them.
A FAMILY FLIGHT.
93
You can choose which you will have, Julia,”
said Molly.
The tortoise-shell,” J ulia decided promptly.
Poor Molly wanted that one herself, but they
were all very sweet, and she could be contented with
any of them.
They haven’t got their eyes open,” said Julia.
They are very, very young,” Miss Benson ex-
plained, and it will be almost a week longer before
their eyes open.”
The next morning, Molly went down cellar all
by her own self ” to see the kittens. She put her
hand eagerly into the barrel, but to her great sur-
prise she could feel nothing but hay ; and when she
looked into the barrel there was not one kitten to be
seen. She put her hand as far down in the hay as
she could reach, for she thought the kittens might
be hidden in it, but she could not find them. She
ran upstairs with the tears in her eyes and her lips
trembling.
Aunt Mary ! Aunt Mary ! ” she said, the
kittens are lost, all of them ; somebody has taken
them away.”
Her aunt went downstairs and looked in the bar-
rel herself. It was too true, the kittens had van-
ished.
94
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Molly sat down on a box in the cellar and began
to cry.
They were all so lovely/’ she sobbed, but es-
pecially the dear tortoise-shell one. And now they
are lost, quite lost.”
Don’t cry, Molly, we shall be sure to find them,”
said her aunt. Nonesuch probably did not like to
have us meddle with the kittens, and it is she who
has hidden them.”
Oh, I wish she would tell us where they are.”
Molly ran upstairs to find Nonesuch, and taking
her in her arms said, Dear Nonesuch, won’t you
please show us what you have done with your chil-
dren ? The white one and the yellow one, but espe-
cially the dear tortoise-shell ? I would n’t hurt them
for anything in the world. I love them. Nonesuch ;
I love them just as much as if I were their grand-
mother. Won’t you please run and show me where
they are ? ”
But Nonesuch only shut her eyes and began to
purr.
I think if we watch her we shall soon find the
Idttens,” Molly’s aunt suggested.
A few minutes later. Nonesuch went to the door
at the top of the cellar stairs and began to mew.
She wants us to let her down cellar,” said
A FAMILY FLIGHT.
95
Molly, who ran to open the door. Molly and her
aunt walked softly downstairs behind the pussy,
and waited to see where she would go, but Nonesuch
heard them coming, and as she did not want them
to find her family, she stayed quietly in a corner of
the cellar.
I expect we shall have to spend the day down
cellar,” Molly observed gravely.
You run upstairs and play with your dolls,”
said her aunt. It is too damp for you here ; and
I will pretend to go away too, but really I will
watch Nonesuch.”
Molly ran off, but she was too excited to play
with her dolls, although she told Jane and George
Washington aU about the dear kittens who were
found yesterday only to be lost to-day. It seemed a
long time before she heard her aunt come upstairs.
Have you found them. Aunt Mary ? ” she asked
eagerly.
No, I can’t get any clue to them ; I don’t be-
lieve they are in the cellar. I think Nonesuch has
been playing a game of bluff with us, and I can’t
spend any more time looking for them.”
Molly’s face fell I wish Turner were at home,”
she said, for he would find them.”
Turner is coming home this afternoon for a day
96
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
or two ; but I have no doubt the kittens will turn
up before he does.”
Miss Benson was very busy that morning, helping
Bridget preserve peaches, and so she did not think
again of the kittens.
Juha came over to play with Molly, as usual, but
although the two little girls hunted in every corner
of the cellar and all over the shed, and although
they watched Nonesuch carefully, they could find
no trace of the missing family.
When Turner came home in the middle of the
afternoon, Molly ran up to him and flung her arms
around him.
Dear Turner,” she said, I am so glad to get
you back, for you will find my lovely family.”
I left your lovely family in a blooming condi-
tion at the seashore.”
I mean kittens, not people. Nonesuch has car-
ried away her three dear babies, and we can’t find
them anywhere.”
I suppose she thinks that one cat is enough for
one family. Why try to find them ? Why ” — but
as he saw Molly’s face change he added hastily,
I was only joking. I am as hungry as a wolf, for
I have n’t had any dinner ; but after I have foraged
foi something to eat, I will find the kittens.”
A FAMILY FLIGHT.
97
But they may starve first/’ Molly objected.
Would you rather have a starved brother, or
starved kittens ? Do you love them better than you
love me ? ”
^^No/’ Molly said, with some hesitation, ^^only
they might die, you know, and it would n’t hurt you
to be a little hungry.”
Turner, however, insisted upon satisfying his ap-
petite at once ; but after he had disposed of some
cold beef and bread and butter and half a pie, he
and Molly started on what he called a life-saving
expedition.”
They went through the shed in vain, and they
even explored the summer-house and looked under
the piazza, but not a trace of a kitten could be
found.
It is a regular ^ Family Flight,’ ” said Turner.
Nonesuch evidently believes with Miss Hale in
change of scene for a young family. We have had
our outing, and she does not want to be behind the
fashion and so is taking hers.”
Turner and Molly next directed their attention to
the cellar, but the kittens were nowhere to be seen.
I think they may be in the coal,” Molly said,
diving into it for the fifth time that day and coming
out with very black hands. If we could only find
98
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
one of them it would be some comfort ; the tortoise*
shell is such a darling, and besides, she belongs to
Juba.”
** My poor sister Molly
Is quite melancholy
Just because a small kit
Has decided to flit/’
said Turner.
Molly began to laugh. Did you make that up
your own self ? ’’ she asked.
No ; it is a translation from Ovid.”
Nonesuch meanwhile had walked down the cellar
stairs, for the door was open. Turner and Molly
were so far away that she thought it safe to go to
her starving family, so she climbed up on an old
blind at the other end of the cellar. Molly happened
to turn her head just in time.
Look, Turner ! Look ! Where is she going ?
She was over there this morning, but Julia and I
could n’t find anything in that corner.”
Molly and Turner quickly crossed the cellar. It
is almost as exciting as a game of ^ Hunt the thim-
ble,’ ” he remarked.
When they reached the spot where Nonesuch had
been, she had jumped down on the floor and was
demurely licking her paws.
^^We’re warm, we’re very, very warm,” said
Turner.
A FAMILY FLIGHT.
99
cold”
I mean we are very near finding them. Look
here; here is a hole where the pipe used to go.
Perhaps she has hidden them there. We’ll go back
into the other cellar, Molly, and watch her.”
It was not long before they saw Nonesuch climb
up on the blind again. Molly held her breath.
Yes, it was really so ; she was climbing into the
hole. Her head was lost to sight ; presently there
was nothing to be seen but her tail, and then even
that had disappeared.
“ Now, Molly, we must find how far in she has
carried the kittens. It will be very hard to get
them out.”
But you must get them out.”
They are in between the cellar ceiling and the
kitchen floor.” Turner put his arm as far into the
hole as he could, but he did not reach Nonesuch.
Molly’s face fell. We shall have to get a plumber
to take up the kitchen floor,” she stated.
I shall have to take up some boards myself, I
suppose ; but are you sure you care enough about
the kittens to make me take all that trouble ? ”
Oh, Turner ! of course I do.”
Do you love them as well as you love George
Washington ? ”
LofC.
100
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
^^Yes.”
Better ? ”
You are a bad boy, and I shall ask papa to take
the floor up when he comes home.”
I suppose I may as well save father the
trouble.”
Molly followed Turner upstairs, and she and her
aunt Mary and Bridget all watched him take up a
board under the sink, where he expected to find the
kittens. After it was up they listened, and could
hear a very faint mew.
Oh, they are there ! They are there ! ” Molly
cried.
Turner had to take up two more boards before
he could reach the kittens. At last he put his arm
under the floor and fished out a soft little ball of
fur.
It ’s the white one,” said Molly, my own dear
white one ! And it ’s alive, quite alive.”
y ery much so,” said Turner. It is mewing
for all it is worth.”
He put in his hand once more and pulled out, not
a plum, but another kitten.
It ’s Flora’s ! It ’s the darling yellow one,” said
Molly. Oh, Turner, you must find the tortoise-
shell too.”
A FAMILY FLIGHT.
101
^^Here she is/’ and he successfully landed the
third member of the family.
They are all three alive/’ said Molly. How
sweet they are ! I am almost glad they were lost,
are n’t you, Aunt Mary ? for it is so nice to find
them. Turner, you are just as good as a plumber.”
(©ctoBer^
PRISCILLA THE SECOND.
When a cousin has done one the great honor of
naming her bossy Molly, the least one can do is to
give the dear cousin the lesser glory of a kitten for
a namesake. So Molly’s kitten was called Priscilla.
At first this caused some confusion.
Priscilla has her eyes open at last/’ Molly an-
nounced one day.
At last ! ” said Turner. I should think from
your description of that young woman she had always
had her eyes open.”
I mean Priscilla the kitten, of course,” Molly
explained impatiently.
Another day she said, Oh, mamma ! Priscilla
was carried upstairs to-day by her mamma.”
“ Is the poor child ill ? ” Molly’s mother asked.
How funny you are, mamma ! I mean Priscilla
the kitten ; ” and Molly began to laugh.
We shall have to call the kitten Priscilla the
PRISCILLA THE SECOND.
103
Second, to avoid mistakes/’ said her mother. And
Priscilla the Second she always remained after that.
It was rather a long name for a small kitten, but
Turner said he had no doubt that she would grow
up to it, if she lived long enough.
The first day that Nonesuch brought her babies
upstairs was a very exciting time. Molly and Juba
were having school with Miss Benson, as they always
did now in the morning. The door was partly open,
and in walked Nonesuch carrying Priscilla the Sec-
ond by the nape of her neck.
Aunt Mary 1 Aunt Mary ! ” Molly cried.
See Nonesuch walk into school just as if she were
a person, except she carries her baby in her mouth
instead of her arms.”
Nonesuch left the kitten at Miss Benson’s feet,
and then went down cellar and brought up the tor-
toise-shell kitten. She evidently thought that her
children needed the advantages of school. She tried
hard to bring up the third kitten, but it was a little
too heavy for her. It was distracting to the lessons
to have so many pupils, and so, to the children’s
great regret. Miss Benson would not let Nonesuch
and her daughters stay.
When Molly told Turner what had happened, he
made a rhyme to celebrate the occasion ; —
104
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX,
** Nonesuch had a little kit
Whose coat was beauteous reckoned,
And everywhere that Nonesuch went
She took Priscilla Second.
** She carried her to school one day
To get an education ;
The stern Miss Benson turned her out
Because she caused elation.”
The next day, something still more wonderful
happened. When Molly awoke in the morning,
she heard Nonesuch mewing, as usual, outside her
window. She ran to open it, and in jumped pussy.
She did not seem satisfied, however, but kept on
mewing, and went back to the window.
What is the matter with you ? ’’ said Miss Ben-
son. She wants us to see something, Molly.”
Molly and her aunt Mary followed Nonesuch to
the window, and looking down to the balcony below,
they saw Priscilla the Second, who seemed very
lonely all by her small self on the large balcony.
Nonesuch had successfully carried her up the trellis,
but she could not get her up the long slant of the
roof to the second story.
Aunt Mary ! Aunt Mary ! Please, please run
down and get Priscilla the Second before she turn*
bles through the railings,” Molly cried.
PRISCILLA THE SECOND.
105
Happily, Miss Benson arrived just in time to save
the little creature from an accident.
All this was in Priscilla the Second’s babyhood, so
to speak. She was a lovable little kitten from the
first, and more like her mother in disposition than
the dear tortoise-shell,” who was a small copy of
her parent in looks, but who was selfish and self-
willed. The yellow kitten, whom Flora named
Buffy, was the largest and most enterprising of the
three. He was the first to leave his mother. A
comfortable home was found for him, when he was
a few weeks old, with the kind expressman who had
brought Nonesuch to Molly.
As soon as Nancy, the tortoise-shell kitten, was
old enough to be happy away from her mamma, she
went across the road to live in the big white house
with Julia and her mother.
After the departure of her brother and sister,
Priscilla the Second became still more* intimate with
her mother. Nonesuch was gradually teaching her
all the things she knew herself. She showed her
how to keep her pretty coat clean, and she taught
her how to play, and one morning she gave her a
lesson in climbing.
Julia and Molly were having their lesson in spell-
ing in the schoolroom by the window which over-
106
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
looked the garden where the other lesson was taking
place. Nonesuch was sitting in the shed watching
Priscilla the Second feebly climb into the lilac bush.
A tub full of water stood just below the bush. It
was sunk into the ground, and was used for water=
ing the plants by Molly’s mother, and for a lake
by Molly and Julia. The little kitten was so small
that she found it hard to climb.
There she goes,” Molly said under her breath ;
she is really beginning to climb.”
How do you spell ^ tongue,’ Molly ? ” her aunt
asked for the second time. I shall not let you
children sit near the window, if you can’t attend to
your lessons.”
Molly darted out of her seat and ran swiftly
towards the door.
Sit still, Molly Benson,” her aunt commanded.
Priscilla the Second is drowning,” Molly ex-
plained, in tragic tones ; and without waiting for per-
mission, she rushed to the rescue. The poor little
kitten had lost her balance, and had fallen from
the bush into the tub of water. Miss Benson and
Julia eagerly watched to see what would happen.
W ould Molly be in time ? The little creature had
sunk, and could not be seen. Nonesuch, however,
had hastened to help her child. She braced herself
PRISCILLA THE SECOND,
107
against the edge of the tub, and waited until her
daughter rose to the surface of the water ; then she
leaned over and grasped Priscilla the Second’s neck
with her teeth and landed her safely on the grass.
When Molly reached them, she found the kitten was
quite well, only very wet, and thoroughly fright-
ened. Molly took Priscilla the Second into the
house, and there was a very long recess in school
that morning.
When October began to draw to its chilly close,
and it was no longer pleasant for kittens to live out-
of-doors, Mrs. Benson tried to find a new home for
Priscilla the Second. She heard that Patrick Riley,
the man who worked for the Esterhazys, wanted a
kitten for his children, and she told Molly the fact.
But I don’t want to give away my dear kitten,”
said Molly, I want to keep her forever.”
Darling, we shall only have room for one cat
this winter. Would you rather give up Nonesuch
and keep Priscilla the Second ? ”
I would rather keep both of them. It ’s pretty
hard if we have n’t room for one cat and a small
kitten in our large house.”
The poor little Rileys have n’t any kitten.
They had one, just as you used to have Tartar, but
it died.”
108
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
They must get another of some little girl who
has five or six kittens/’
Mrs. Benson said no more about the departure of
Priscilla the Second for a day or two, but she told
Patrick that he might ask his children to come and
look at her. Molly was very unhappy when she
heard this. “ They will want her, if they see her,
mamma,” she said. They will never be contented
with any other kitten.”
When the three little girls arrived at the kitchen
door, Bridget summoned Molly. Poor Molly held
Priscilla the Second very tight in her arms, as if she
were afraid that the Rileys would carry her away by
main force. They were pleasant-looking children.
One of them was about Molly’s age, — she was the
quietest and shyest of the three ; another was older ;
and there was a younger one. The little one had
on a blue coat that had once belonged to Julia.
What is the kitten’s name ? ” asked the oldest
child.
Priscilla the Second.”
That ’s a funny name ; it ’s too long.”
That is her name, and if I ever give her away
she has always got to be called by the whole of it,
Priscilla the SecondP
It ’s a very pretty name,” the youngest child
hastened to say.
PRISCILLA THE SECOND.
109
What is your name ? ” inquired Molly.
Her name is Katie/’ said the oldest girl, and
this is Lizzie, and I am Annie.”
Do you like cats, Katie ? ”
We love them,” Annie replied.
The little Katie meanwhile was stroking Priscilla
the Second’s fur in an ecstasy of delight. What
a beauty she is,” she murmured. Dear, darling
kitty ; ” and she put her cheek down to the pussy’s
soft fur.
Molly’s heart sank.
What bright eyes she has,” said Annie. And
look, Katie, at her dear little black tail, and the rest
of her as white as a snow-drift.”
Except for the black spot on her chin,” said
Katie.
Molly felt still more unhappy when she saw that
every beauty of her pet was being discovered by the
sharp eyes of the little Rileys.
I should think it would be very easy to get kit-
tens where you live,” she hazarded, there are so
many children.”
‘‘We ’ve moved up to a house all by itself, where
there are n’t any neighbors,” Annie explained.
“ And where we used to live there are n’t any pretty
kittens, they are mostly black or gray.”
no
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
ohr
I never saw such a pretty kitten/’ said Katie.
There never was such a pretty kitten/’ said Liz-
zie, speaking for the first time.
Would n’t you rather have a doll than the kit-
ten?” Molly asked desperately. I could n’t give
up Jane, or George Washington, or Sylvia, or the
Princess, but I would give each of you one of my
dear smaller dolls.^
Lizzie evidently wavered, and Molly grew hope-
ful, but Annie and Katie remained firm. We’d
rather have the kitten, for it ’s alive,” Annie de-
cided.
Come, Molly ; your tea is ready,” said Mrs.
Benson. Say good-by to the children.”
Good - by,” said Molly, hugging Priscilla the
Second tighter than ever, and trying to forget the
longing glances that the Rileys cast upon her.
That night, after her mamma had put Molly to
bed, the little girl called to her as she was leaving
the room. She had been very sober all the even-
ing, and it was evident that something weighed on
her mind.
Do you suppose that Annie and Lizzie and Ka-
tie would give Priscilla the Second enough to eat,
mamma ? ” she inquired.
PRISCILLA THE SECOND.
Ill
I am sure they would, dear.”
But if they are quite poor, they may not have
enough for people and a kitten too.”
They always have enough to eat, and it takes
very little to feed a cat.”
Mamma.”
^^Yes, darling.”
I wish those children had n’t come here.”
« Why, dear ? ”
Because they seem to want Priscilla the Second
so very, very much, and I can’t give her up, I can’t,
I can’t ! ”
Suppose your cat had died, and you had very
few playthings ; and suppose you lived in a lonely
place away from other children ; don’t you think
you would care more for Priscilla the Second than
a little girl could who had a great many playthings,
and ever so many neighbors, and one cat already ? ”
No, I don’t,” Molly said stoutly.
Good-night, Molly.”
Good-night, mamma.”
For three days Molly looked very serious indeed^
Julia wondered what could be the matter, and Miss
Benson was afraid that she was going to he ill.
Towards the end of the third day she said to her
mamma, I suppose those children have got to have
112 WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
Priscilla the Second. Annie and Katie came to see
her again yesterday, and Patrick told Julia that
they were ^ clean gone ’ over her. If she must go,
I’d rather have her go right off. Can Julia and I
take her there this afternoon in a basket ? It will
be some comfort if I can carry her there myself.”
^^Yes, dear, if your aunt Mary or Ruth will go
with you.”
Miss Benson and the two little girls set forth with
Priscilla the Second that afternoon. Molly carried
the basket all the way. It was a long walk to the
Rileys’ house, for they lived at the other end of the
town. On the way they met Miss Sylvia, who had
just come back from the mountains.
Where are you all going ? ” she asked.
When they told her, she said she would like to
join the procession. She and Miss Benson walked
on ahead, for they had a great deal to talk about,
as they had not seen each other since June.
There was a large field opposite the Rileys’ house
that was used as a cow pasture in summer. Molly
thought that it must be even more fun to play there
than in the garden at home, for it was so much
bigger, and besides, a little brook ran through it,
which would make a delightful river to sail boats in
or span with bridges. The Rileys’ house was very
PRISCILLA THE SECOND.
113
small, but this made it all the more sociable. The
kitchen seemed to be the parlor and the dining-room
too, and Molly thought it was a very nice arrange-
ment, because the little girls would never have to
be careful of the furniture. Annie and Lizzie and
Katie were running about the room barefooted.
Why don’t you wear your shoes and stockings ? ”
Julia asked.
Sure, miss, I want to save their shoes and stock-
ings for school,” Mrs. Riley replied.
I wish mamma would let me take off my shoes
and stockings every afternoon,” Molly said.
The three little girls and two older boys and a
toddling baby boy all looked with interest at Molly
and her basket.
Guess what I Ve got here ? ” she asked.
Is it — is it the kitten ? ” Katie demanded
breathlessly.
Before Molly could reply, Priscilla the Second
answered the question herself by giving a long,
wailing Miauw.”
The faces of the children were so radiant that
Molly felt somewhat comforted.
It is the kitten,” said Katie rapturously. It
is Priscilla the Second.”
l^otoemBen
A THANKSGIVING DINNER.
The Bensons were to dine with Mrs. Benson’s
mother, in Boston, on Thanksgiving Day. She
always left New Hampshire just before Thanksgiv-
ing. This year Priscilla and her mamma were to be
there too.
Molly took cold a few days before Thanksgiving,
and so she could not go to Boston with the others.
Her mother stayed at home with her, but in spite
of this, the little girl could not help crying when
she saw the rest of the family going out of the
door.
Poor Molly,” said Flora, I would stay with
you, if it would make you feel any better.”
^^I will bring you home a nice, large orange,”
said her father.
“ And I will bring you some candy,” Ruth prom*
ised.
I will eat enough turkey for both you and my*
self,” said Turner generously.
A TffANKSGIVIJSrG DINNER. 115
Oh, dear,’’ said Molly, after she and her mother
were left alone, why should I have such a dread-
ful cold just at Thanksgiving time, when I wanted
to go to grandmamma’s so much ? ”
^‘We must try to have a nice Httle Thanksgiv-
ing all by ourselves, Molly. Suppose we stop and
count up all the things we have to be thankful
about.”
There is George Washington,” said Molly,
brightening, and there is dear Nonesuch.”
‘‘ Suppose we let Nonesuch eat her Thanksgiving
dinner with us ? ” suggested Molly’s mamma.
Can we truly have her ? What fun ! ”
Nonesuch was not usually allowed to come into
the dining-room, but Mrs. Benson thought that it
would do no harm to give her her dinner there just
this once. Nonesuch rubbed against Molly, and
began to purr in a pleased way, when she found
herself in the room.
Molly and her mother had their dinner of tomato-
soup, turkey, and cranberry-sauce and mashed po-
tato, on top of the table ; and dear little Nonesuch
had her dinner of tomato-soup, turkey-bones, and
potato and bread, under the table.
As they were finishing their turkey, the doorbell
rang, and Bridget brought in something wrapped in
116
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
white paper, which she put on the table in front of
Molly.
Miss Sylvia Eussell has sent you this, Miss
Molly,” she announced.
Oh, then it is something very nice, I know.”
On the outside of the paper was written : —
For my dear Molly, from Miss Sylvia, who is
so sorry that her little friend has to stay at home
on Thanksgiving Day.”
Molly undid the bundle eagerly, and saw a tin
dish.
What is it ? ” she asked blankly.
^‘It is a mould of ice-cream, and Bridget can
take it into the kitchen and turn it out.”
Ice-cream ! How perfectly lovely ! How do
you suppose Miss Sylvia knew that ice-cream is my
favorite dessert ? ”
Presently Bridget brought the ice-cream in on a
platter.
It is a lion, mamma ! It is almost too pretty
to eat ! ”
^^It will melt, if you don’t eat it. But here
are some verses. We will read them, and see what
Miss Sylvia says about it;” and Mrs. Benson
read : —
A THANKSGIVING DINNER.
117
I hope you will welcome this lion, my dear,
I hope you will welcome this lion •
He is gentle and kind,
And soft-hearted, you ’ll find.
Pray eat him, and see if you like him, my dear,
Pray eat him ; his name is Orion.
** They tell us that lions will eat us, my dear,
They talk of the danger of lions ;
But those who speak so
Have no knowledge, I know.
Of the singular breed of Orions, my dear.
Of the singular breed of Orions.
“ So eat him and grow like Orion, my dear,
As strong and as brave as Orion ;
And if he should seem
Naught but common ice-cream,
Remember he ’s really a lion, my dear.
Remember he ’s really a lion.”
Orion is a very funny name for him, I think,”
said Molly. I wonder why Miss Sylvia called him
Orion ? ”
Orion was a mighty giant. I suppose she called
him that because he was such a strong lion. You
may help to* him, Molly.”
Which part do you like best, mamma, his head
or his tail ? ”
I will take a small slice of his mane, thank
you.”
118
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
I am going to take a leg and the wishbone,”
said Molly. ^^But perhaps lions don’t have wish-
bones ? Oh ! It is vanilla ! My favorite kind !
How lovely Miss Sylvia was to send me such nice
ice-cream ! such a nice Hon, I mean.”
After Molly and her mother had finished their
ice-cream, they had some nuts and raisins, and while
they were eating them, the little girl looked out
of the window and saw a gray squirrel scamper up
a tree.
Mamma,” she said, don ’t you suppose that
dear squirrel would like to have some Thanksgiving
dinner too? Would n’t he eat some of our nuts?”
I am sure he would, Molly. I think if I were
to put some nuts in a basket outside the window on
the window-sill, he would be very glad to come and
eat his Thanksgiving dinner.”
Molly clapped her hands with delight, and Mrs.
Benson filled a small basket with nuts. Then she
threw a shawl over her head and went out into the
woodshed. Molly watched, and presently saw her
come to the outside of the window with a plank,
which she placed so that one end of it rested on
the window-sill and the other end on the ground.
That ’s the squirrel’s road, is n’t it? ” she called
with glee. Now he can walk right up to the bas-
ket, can’t he ? ”
A THANKSGIVING DINNER. 119
Mrs. Benson came back into the house presently,
and she and Molly waited eagerly to see what would
happen. Pretty soon the squirrel ran down the
tree, and once more they saw something gray with a
bushy tail whisk across the lawn.
^‘He is coming here! He is! He is!” cried
Molly, running to the window.
Be careful. Stand back, Molly, you have
frightened him.”
The little squirrel had paused to look up at the
house with his bright eyes, while his sharp ears
were on the alert for any sound. He saw Molly
come towards the window, and being a prudent and
timid little squirrel, he scampered across the lawn
and ran up the oak-tree in the garden.
“ Oh, dear ! ” said Molly. I am afraid he won’t
come back any more. Who would have thought
that anything could be afraid of a small girl like
me?”
Have patience, and keep still. If you do, I am
pretty sure he will come back, for he has seen the
nuts.”
So Molly retreated to the sofa in the corner, and
kept very, very stiU, scarcely daring to breathe.
By and by the squirrel came down from the tree
and advanced cautiously to the window. He cocked
120
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
his head on one side, and looked and listened. He
heard no sound, and he did not see Molly and her
mamma, so he came up the plank to the window-sill.
Finally he took a nut in his two little paws. Mrs.
Benson and Molly were so much interested that
they had forgotten that somebody else was watch-
ing the squirrel, and before they could stop her,
Nonesuch had climbed up in a chair by the win-
dow and dashed one of her paws wildly against the
window-pane.
^^She wants to catch the squirrel,” said Molly.
Naughty Nonesuch ! ”
The squirrel had scurried away in great haste,
and Nonesuch looked very much surprised when she
found she could not catch him, for she had forgot-
ten that the window was shut.
Naughty, naughty Nonesuch ! ” Molly said again.
Or perhaps she is n’t naughty. Perhaps she
thinks squirrels are rats with furs on, because it is
cold weather.”
Molly and her mother and Nonesuch watched a
long time before the squirrel came again. Nonesuch
was in the chair that was close to the window. She
had learned that it was shut, and so had the squir-
rel, or he would never have ventured back, as he
did after a time. He ran up the board and stood
A THANKSGIVING DINNER. 121
on the window-sill, looking in triumph at None-
such.
“Don’t you wish you could catch me?” he
seemed to say ; “ but you can’t, on account of that
window.”
He came again and again for a nut, taking one at
a time, and then scampering up into the oak-tree to
eat it, and Nonesuch watched him patiently. He
always cocked his head on one side and looked at
her saucily. He came so many times that at last
they began to suspect that he was not always the
same squirrel.
“ I can’t tell whether he is many, or whether he
is only one,” said Molly, “ but I think he is at least
two, because sometimes he is very fat, and some-
times he is quite thin.”
“He is two,” she exclaimed presently, in excite-
ment. “ The fat one and the thin one are coming
together.”
“ Look at Nonesuch, Molly.”
It was altogether too much for the self-control of
poor Nonesuch to see two squirrels together on the
window-sill. She made a frantic dash with her paw
against the glass, and looked very unhappy when
she did not succeed in catching one, for she had
forgotten again about the window.
122
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
^^Look at the fat one. He is a greedy thing!
He won’t let the thin one have a single nut. You
mean thing! Look quick, mamma! He is so
greedy that he has upset the basket.”
It was too true, the basket had been overturned,
and a shower of nuts descended upon the snow. A
few moments later, to Molly’s intense delight, four
squirrels appeared, as if by magic.
The thin one has told all his friends about the
nuts, I am sure he has,” said MoUy. See how
angry the fat one is to find that so many squirrels
have found out his secret ! He is trying to drive
them away ! There are nuts enough for them all,
so why does he mind ? How they whisk their tails !
It seems as if they were all tail, mamma.”
When the last nut was gone, MoUy and her
mother and Nonesuch regretfully left the window.
^^It has been a very nice Thanksgiving,” said
Molly. Lions and squirrels are almost as inter-
esting as Priscilla and grandmamma.”
Wettmhtt.
THE EILEYS’ CHEISTMAS TEEE.
The day before Christmas, something very pleas-
ant happened: Priscilla and her mother came to
make the Bensons a long visit.
When Molly saw her dear cousin once more, she
flung her arms around her, and hugged and kissed
her as if she could never leave off.
You have got on a pretty blue dress,” Priscilla
observed, looking at her critically, ^^and you are
taller, but I shall love you just the same.”
must show you Nonesuch,” Molly said, run-
ning to find her favorite. She picked her up and
held out her right front paw, that Priscilla might
shake hands with her.
This is your cousin Priscilla, Nonesuch,” she
said gravely.
Priscilla and Nonesuch shook kands, and became
fast friends at once.
Priscilla was then shown all Molly’s dolls. She
124
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
thought that George Washington had rather a con-
ceited look, but she supposed it was natural, as he
was the only brother among so many sisters. This
made Molly very unhappy, but she was pleased to
have Priscilla take a great fancy to Jane. She said
she put one at ease. She was rather in awe of the
Princess and Sylvia.
Later, at dinner, she was very much afraid of
Molly’s aunt Mary and of her papa, and of Turner
and Flora ; but she liked Ruth, because, as she ex-
pressed it, she was a grown-up Molly.”
After dinner, Julia came over, and although Pris-
cilla did not have a word to say to her at first, the
three little girls grew very sociable before many
minutes passed.
Something nice is going to happen this after-
noon,” Molly confided to Priscilla. Miss Sylvia is
going with Flora, and Julia, and me, to take some
Christmas presents to Patrick’s children.”
He is the man who makes our fires,” Julia ex-
plained.
We went to his house,” Molly proceeded, ^^to
take Priscilla the Second.”
That ’s the kitten.”
She knows it ’s the kitten, Julia. They didn’t
seem to have anything to play with (not that it matr
THE RILEYS^ CHRISTMAS TREE. 125
ters much, for one can always pretend) ; so Aunt
Mary suggested that we should dress some dolls for
them. She and Miss Sylvia and Euth dressed them
mostly, but we children helped, and we sewed up
some muslin bags this morning in school, and filled
them with candy. Turner gave us the candy.”
And we are going to take some stockings, and
mittens, and picture hooks,” Julia added.
Flora and Julia and I bought the picture hooks
with our own money,” Molly went on ; and you can
come with us, Priscilla, and carry one of the dolls.
Aunt Mary and Ruth have to stay at home to get
our Christmas tree ready. I must show you the
dolls,” and she opened the closet door with pride.
We haven’t done them up yet. Here they are, all
in a row. Are n’t they sweet ? ”
The three dolls, like the Riley children, were of
different sizes, making one think of a flight of
steps. There was a strong family resemblance be-
tween them, for they all had flaxen hair and blue
eyes. The oldest was dressed in red, and wore a
red hood, which Molly’s mamma had crocheted;
the middle one was in blue, and had on a blue
crocheted hood ; and the youngest was in pink, and
wore a pink hood.
I wish they were all three mine,” Priscilla said
enviously.
126
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
‘‘We have an engine and some cars for the little
boy/’ said Molly, and Miss Sylvia is going to give
the big boys some jackknives. Here she comes
now.”
“ So this is Priscilla/’ Miss Sylvia said cordially
“ I feel as if we ought to be old friends, because I
have heard so much about you from Molly.”
Priscilla looked hard at Miss Sylvia, and she did
not wonder that Molly thought her like a fairy
princess.
We will do the dolls up in tissue paper,” said
Miss Sylvia. “ Can’t you find some, Molly, without
troubling your aunt Mary ? The other things are
all ready, I see.”
After the dolls were equipped for their journey.
Miss Sylvia said : —
“ You can carry the largest doll, Julia, because
you are the oldest ; and Priscilla can carry the mid-
dle-sized doll, and Molly can take the smallest.”
Miss Sylvia carried the other presents in a basket,
and Flora took some oranges and the bags of candy
in another basket.
When they reached the Rileys’ house. Miss Syl-
via knocked on the door, and Mrs. Riley opened it.
Oh, and is it you. Miss Sylvia ? ” she exclaimed.
“ Sure and you look like the blessed Saint Elizabeth.”
THE EILEYS’ CHRISTMAS TREE. 127
We have come to see the children/’ Miss Sylvia
explained.
They are all out in the field making believe
have a Christmas tree. I told them it was foolish-
ness, for they have n’t nothing to speak of to put
on it.”
Molly’s eyes shone, and she ran off very fast in
the direction of the field. How charming it would
be to put real presents on a make-believe Christmas
tree ! For if it is always pleasant to pretend,”
there is a certain satisfaction that comes from real
things.
At first Molly could not see the Rileys, but at
last she discovered them in the farther corner of
the vacant lot, behind some hemlock-trees.
The snow had come early that year, and the
sleet had fallen afterwards. There was a hard
crust everywhere in the meadow, so that little peo-
ple and big people too could walk on it as if it
were ice.
When Molly and her friends reached the spot
where the Rileys were playing, they became speech-
less with admiration, for before their astonished
eyes was a whole miniature village. The buildings
were all white, but so they often are in New Eng-
land villages- Each house was made of blocks quar-
128
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
ried out of the snow. There were open spaces for
the doors and windows, as there are in blockhouses,
and the children had put branches of hemlock inside,
to look like green blinds and green doors. The
roofs were all flat; they were made of pieces of
wood about as large as the cover of a starch-box,
put across the tops of the houses, and then covered
with a thin layer of crust. Some diminutive snow
chimneys crowned these structures. As for the
church, it was very imposing, for it had a high
tower and two wide doors. It stood near the com-
mon, a charming little round inclosure, fenced in by
a hedge of tiny hemlock branches. The school-
house stood on one side of it and the village store
on the other.
I have never seen anything so beautiful,” said
MoUy. Did you make it yourselves ? ”
Tom and Pat helped us.”
They were your architects, I suppose,” said Miss
Sylvia.
Tom and Pat, meanwhile, had retreated to the
other end of the field.
The children were so entranced by the snow vil-
lage that at first they did not notice the Christmas
tree, but at length Priscilla pointed it out.
Is n’t it beautiful ? ” she asked.
THE RILEYS^ CHRISTMAS TREE. 129
A real, live, out-of-doors Christmas tree, grow-
ing in the fields. How perfectly lovely ! ” cried
Molly.
It is n’t half so pretty as the house ones,” cried
Annie. We did n’t have any of them glistening
balls, and we had to put on real snow instead of
the make-believe kind.”
I think real snow is a great deal prettier,” said
Miss Sylvia.
It was a touching little Christmas tree, for it had
tried so hard to copy its drawing-room sisters. The
Rileys did not realize how pretty it looked out-of-
doors, under the blue sky, with the real snow on its
branches. There was n’t much else on them, to be
sure, but there was a little of the crinkly barley
candy that comes at Christmas time, tied on with
some bits of bright ribbon ; and there was a toy
watch for the little boy ; while some kindergarten
mats that Katie had made at school, and some Christ-
mas cards that had been given to the children the
year before, helped to brighten up the sombre green
branches. To add to the gayety of the scene, Pris-
cilla the Second was frisking about, looking as
white as the snow, and wearing a pretty blue rib-
bon around her neck.
Suppose you children run off to the other end
130
WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX.
of the field for a few minutes/’ said Miss Sylvia
to the little Rileys, and we will call you when we
want you.”
After they had gone, Miss Sylvia and the chil-
dren decorated the Christmas tree.
I wish we had known that they were going to
have a Christmas tree, and we would have brought
some glistening balls,” said Miss Sylvia.
The candy bags and the other things will make
it look very pretty,” said Flora.
They tied the bags of candy to the branches of
the tree.
What shall we do with the oranges ? ” asked
Molly.
We ’ll put them in a ring around the bottom of
the trunk of the tree,” Julia decided.
So they arranged them in what Miss Sylvia called
a fairy ring around the trunk, and then they hung
the picture books over the branches.
What shall we do with the mittens and stock-
ings ? ” Flora asked in despair.
We ’ll put them on the ends of the branches as
if they were hands and feet,” Miss Sylvia replied.
They left the train of cars just outside the village,
and they seated the three dolls in front of three
houses in the village.
THE RILEYS* CHRISTMAS TREE.
131
What can we do with the jackhnives ? ” Molly
inquired.
^^We will put one jackknife in the lap of the
doll in red, and the other in the lap of the doll in
blue,” said Julia.
When everything was ready, Julia and Molly ran
to call the children.
Ask the hoys to come too,” said Miss Sylvia.
Tom and Pat, however, had disappeared.
The little girls and the small Harry were very
glad to follow Julia and Molly. When they saw
the Christmas tree, they were as much overwhelmed
with admiration as Molly had been when she saw
the snow village. They did not say anything at
first, but their eyes danced. At last Katie discov-
ered the dolls. She gave a little cry of delight.
There are three of them.”
Yes,” said Molly. A big one, and a middle-
sized one, and a little one. The youngest is for
you.”
We made some of the clothes ourselves,” Julia
added proudly.
^^The jackknives are for Tom and Pat,” said
Flora.
Katie, meanwhile, had seized the doll in pink,
and clasped her in her arms as tenderly as if she
132 WHEN MOLLY WAS SIX,
had been alive. What pretty hair she has/’ she
said^ and such blue eyes. Sure and they shut
up ! Look, Annie, when you hold her this way they
shut up.”
She ’s asleep,” said Molly.
Annie was rapturously examining the doll in red,
and Lizzie had taken blissful possession of the one
in blue, ^e little boy had discovered the train of
cars, and was already beginning to play with them.
It will soon be dark,” said Miss Sylvia, and
we must be going home, for we have a long walk.”
Molly looked wistfully behind her. I never
saw anything so beautiful as this snow village,” she
said.
Oh, that is nothing,” Annie replied. Any
one can have a snow village. Snow is plenty.”
Molly meant to try to make one in the garden
at home, but she was sure that it would not be so
beautiful.
We thank you very much for all the things,”
said Annie shyly.
We must really go now, Molly,” Miss Sylvia
insisted.
Yes,” added Flora, we must get home in time
for our own Christmas tree.”
It won’t he like this one,” said Molly regretfully
THE RILEYS* CHRISTMAS TREE, 133
Nothing can he as beautiful as this.” She wished
that their Christmas tree was to be out-of-doors
under the blue sky, with real snow on the branches,
and that they could arrange it themselves, while
Annie wished that she could have a Christmas tree
in the house like Molly.
‘‘We’ve had a lovely time,” said Molly. “I
never had such a lovely time before.”
“ Neither did we,” Annie returned. “ Good-by,
and I wish you all a Merry Christmas.”
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